• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.374-383
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• 2018

This study was conducted to compare the unmet needs and quality of life of permanent and temporary ostomates. The research subjects were 128 ostomates with colorectal cancer or other advanced cancers. Data were collected by self-reported completion of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in Cancer (CNAT) and the City of Hope Quality of Life (COH-QOL) Ostomy Questionnaire from February 1 to April 5, 2018. Collected data were analyzed by chi-squared and independent t-tests using IBM SPSS 21.0. The results showed that the unmet need for temporary ostomates was significantly higher than that of permanent ostomates (t=-2.284, P=0.024). Moreover, temporary ostomates showed a higher unmet need for information and education (t=-2.747, p=0.007), psychological problems (t=-2.578, p=0.011), and physicians (t=-2.599, p=0.010). Although quality of life of temporary ostomates seems lower than that of permanent ostomates, there was no significant difference between groups (t=-1.364, P=0.0175). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a self-management program to provide appropriate information and psychological support for temporary ostomates.