Introduction: Health-related quality of life in patients undergoing dialysis decreases over time, not only due to the treatment of the disease but also due to the reduction of physiological, psychological and social well-being. Aim: The aim of this research is to study social support and nursing care that patients with dialysis receive, their levels of fatigue and their quality of life. In addition, the effect of social support and nursing care on the patients'' levels of quality of life is examined. Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using the questionnaires “Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support”, Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), Missoula-VITAS Quality of Life Index and nursing care. The study involved 69 patients on dialysis. Results: Interpersonal relationships were associated with social support (p <0.01). Quality of life was associated with social support (p <0.05). Conclusions: It seems that there is a strong association between social support and quality of life in patients on dialysis.

Exercise is an important factor of rehabilitation in heart failure patients, improving several indicators of disease prognosis and functional capacity. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of a cardiorespiratory rehabilitation program on the physical and mental fatigue, general health and anxiety in patients suffering from heart failure. Thirty-one patients with heart failure [(M±SD) age: 67.59±7.60 years] participated in a cardiorespiratory rehabilitation program. The program included aerobic exercise on cycle ergometers and muscle strengthening for 3 months (12 weeks), 3 times/week. Before and after the program, patients' fatigue, general and mental health were assessed using the following self-reported questionnaires: a) Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS), b) Goldberg's General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and c) Spielberger's Anxiety Questionnaire. Data analysis showed a statistically significant tendency of reduction in social dysfunction (from 1.99±0.42 to 1.75±0.45, p=0.05), while anxiety (from 27.10±7.61 to 26.40±4.35) showed no change (p>0.05).Also, evaluating the changes in the health level after attending the program, there was a trend of improvement in physical activity and functioning with the appearance of fewer physical symptoms (from 1.38±0.43 to 1.24±0.31, p=0,13). These results show that exercise can contribute to increasing the general well-being of these patients and reducing feelings of helplessness, making them able to cope with their daily activities and tasks.

Introduction: Measuring patient satisfaction with health services in recent decades has been an important tool for assessing the quality of specific services. Purpose: The investigation of the degree of satisfaction of patients attending the Regular Outpatient Clinics of a General Hospital as well as the effect of socio-demographic factors on their satisfaction. Method: For the gathering of research data, a structured questionnaire with "closed" questions was used regarding the patients' satisfaction with the reception - environment, speed of service, clinical and laboratory examinations, impressions from the medical care, impressions from the nursing care, the administrative services and the general service. Results: The study involved 36 men (57.1%) and 27 women (42.9%) with a mean age of 56.78 years. The majority of them were insured (79.4%), Greek citizens (90.5%) and high school graduates (36.5%). Also, most outpatients evaluated very satisfactorily the services provided by the Regular Outpatient Clinics of the Hospital. Finally, there was a statistically significant correlation between socio-demographic variables (age, insurance and nationality) and patient satisfaction level (p <0.05).Conclusions: Based on the findings of this research, there is a clear effect of socio-demographic factors on the degree of satisfaction of outpatients.

The aim of the present research through the study of the mastectomy experience of women with breast cancer, is the investigation of its consequences in women who took part, as well as the role of counseling therapy in promoting mental their health. Five women voluntarily participated in semi-structured interviews, which they had undergone mastectomy and attended counseling. For in the analysis of the interviews, the Phenomenological Analysis was used. From the analysis of the interviews, it became clear that mastectomy brings about both physical changes, from the sensation of breast loss, as well as changes in their mental world, as their mental health is directly affected in awareness of breast removal. Therefore, the provision of advisory support is one of the main factors contributing to the relief of psychological symptoms, controlling negative thoughts and reducing negative one’s emotions experienced by women. Through the therapeutic process the women besides promoting their mental health, know themselves better through the eyes of others (partner, family). The results of the research contribute significantly to the theoretical and objective understanding of the mastectomy experience, as they highlight important aspects of it her experience regarding the negative effects of mastectomy. Simultaneously highlight the special importance of providing psychological support in order to strengthening their mental world. Finally, they reveal its necessity conducting qualitative research to further explore and understand the experience of women who have undergone a mastectomy.