Nursing research into quality of life.

This report describes the scope of nursing research in the area of quality of life. The strategy used to identify research reports relied heavily on nursing publications included in the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) from 1983 (when the database first included the subject, quality of life) to December, 1991. During this period, over 1,000 references concerning quality of life can be identified through a key-word search of the data set.

Theories used in patient/health education.

Patient and health education programs may need to use a multitheory approach to promote health behaviors such as cancer prevention and early detection practices and decrease negative responses such as anxiety, distress, pain, and use of damaging alternative treatments. Multiple intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, and community approaches are required. For example, a strategy for breast cancer education should be characterized by an understanding of the target population's attitudes and beliefs about breast cancer, communication of information, education regarding specific facts about breast health and breast cancer, social influence strategies to promote acceptance of the target behaviors, and organizational and community-based interventions to reach the widest audience.