| Author: | Kwok, Chui-ling Irene |
| Title: | An exploratory study on the contribution of self-help in identifying andmeeting health services and social needs of laryngectomees in Hong Kong : a quality of life study of the selp-help group |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 1997 |
| Subject: | Self-help groups -- China -- Hong Kong Laryngectomees -- Services for Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies |
| Pages: | ix, 118 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The New Voice Club of Hong Kong is formed by laryngectomees, which pioneers self-help movement in Hong Kong. It was chosen as the target group for the present study. The study aimed at examining the contribution of self-help in the health care arena. Forty six members with at least one year membership were randomly selected to respond to a questionnaire in a face-to-face situation. The questionnaire consisted of eight sections including (I) personal particulars, (II) identification of health services and social needs, (III) degree of self-help involvement, (IV) physical health condition, (V) psychosocial condition, (VI) speech/communication ability, (VII) vocational aspect, and (VIII) interaction with the environment. The last five sections constitute the quality of life model specifically designed for this population. The results revealed a varied personal profile of the participants. In terms of health services and social needs, both professional speech training available in hospital/clinics and mutual-learning classes offered at the New Voice Club were perceived to be of equal importance. Regular ENT and radiotherapy services were considered to be essential according to one's need while convalescence care and hospice care were not important. Pre- and post-operative visits and services offered by both professionals and peers were preferred. No relationship was found between the degree of self-help involvement and the respondents' degree of needs perceived. The degree of self-help involvement was found to be a positive predictor of the psychosocial domain of the quality of life model for laryngectomees in Hong Kong. However, no relationships were found between self-help participation and the other quality of life indicators, namely physical health condition, speech ability and interaction with the environment. Due to the predominance of non-working status after surgery, no quantitative analysis was conducted between self-help involvement and the vocational domain. The dramatic increase in non-working status after surgery indicated a certain degree of threat of the operation to the continuation of original occupation. The notion of self-help in enhancing quality life in patients, particularly in the psychosocial aspect, offers a new arena in the planning and provision of rehabilitative services to the laryngectomized population. The application of self-help should then be developed with relevance to the quality of life issue in other disease categories. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
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| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b12569768.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 3.56 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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