To explore the effect of self-efficiency intervention for patients with peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) at the intermission of the chemotherapy.

A total of 150 chemotherapy patients with PICC were selected from May 2013 to May 2014 and divided into experimental group (n=75) and control group (n=75) according to the date of admission. The patients of control group underwent conventional nursing, while the patients of experimental group received self-efficiency nursing including directed experience, vicarious experience, verbal persuasion, and support system. The general self-efficacy scale (GSES) was evaluated in two groups at admission and six months after discharge. The PICC complication rates were compared between two groups at admission and six months after discharge.

At admission, the scores of self-efficiency were no significantly different between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05). At six months after discharge, the self-efficiency score of experimental group was higher than that of the control group (P<0.01). Within six months after discharge, the complications of catheter-related infection, PICC ectopy in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05).

The self-efficiency intervention can enhance the level of self-efficiency among patients with PICC during the period of chemotherapy intermission. It also can increase patient′s confidence, promote patient′s ability of self-management, and decrease the PICC complications.

Chemotherapy, cancer, regional infusion; Central venous catheter; Self-efficiency