Page 75 - APPENDIX B: Trials Investigating the Management of Acute Radiation-Induced Skin Reactions Reading Qualitative Research

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WOUND CARE

In summary, it is evident that the management of malignant wounds was different from the

management of radiation dermatitis. The most commonly used products were preferably non-

adherent and helped to control bleeding, exudate, and odor.

Distribution of responses and missing data. Since missing data such as “don’t know”

answer can result in biased results, the extent of the problem was analyzed by examining

frequency distributions on each of the questions in the survey with the option of “don’t know”

answer (Polit & Beck, 2012). The extent of missing data is reported and the degree to which the

issue affected the central analysis was examined. “Don’t know” option was provided for the

following questions and a total of three responses received were noted, as below.

Table 4.12

Distribution of Missing Data Responses
Questions where “Don’t know” was a response Number of “Don’t know” response
option
Which skin assessment tool do you use for 0
radiation dermatitis?
How often is a patient's wound assessed? 1
Who makes the decision to remove or radiate 2
through dressings?
How consistent is nursing practice regarding 0
the use of skin assessments and wound
dressing changes during radiotherapy?

The above Table 4.12 shows that there are three “don’t know” responses. As described

earlier the two incomplete survey responses had only demographic and part of ‘current practice’

section answered. Since all available data were used in the analysis, these respondents had

missing data for most of the survey questions.

It is also noteworthy that only 14 responses were received for the question, “Do you use a

local policy, Clinical Practice Guideline or Best Practice Guideline for when to remove a

dressing during radiotherapy? If possible, share the document electronically”. Two responses