The Effect of Self-Care Insufficiency Care Model and Mobile Application Supported Care on Symptoms and Quality of Life of Gastrointestinal Cancer Patients

Remarkably, the incidence of gastrointestinal cancer cases among cancer types is increasing. Gastrointestinal cancers are one of the 10 most common cancer types in the World. This increase worldwide is remarkable, especially due to the increase in urbanization, consumption of foods rich in animal fat, insufficient dietary fiber intake and lifestyle changes. Cytotoxic therapy, which is used in the treatment of malignant diseases, can cause serious complications in gastrointestinal cancer, distinguishing it from other types of cancer. In addition, patients experience symptoms such as nausea-vomiting, mucositis, diarrhea, and constipation much more severely due to the direct effects of these agents on the gastrointestinal system. For this reason, patients' compliance with the treatment process and their quality of life are seriously affected, and patients have difficulties especially in meeting their self-care needs.

Inclusion Criteria:Being literateBeing diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancerBeing receiving chemotherapy treatment and having information about the diseaseGetting a score of 120 or less in the Self-Care Strength Scale pre-test.Not having a physical illness or cognitive disability that prevents participation in the -research and not having a psychiatric illness diagnosisHaving an Android phone and the ability to use itNot having sensory loss related to vision and hearingBeing open to communication and cooperationExclusion Criteria:Patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria and were not volunteers were not included in the sample;Asking to leave the studyWorsening of general condition/DeathChange of treatment protocol