Table 2 Educational interventions in the intervention group

The first session

It was on the nature of cancer, treatments, chemotherapy, and the importance of self-care. It was a group meeting of five 10-member groups, held by two faculty members of the Nursing Department and the research using the educational film method.

The second session

It was on the nutrition, gastrointestinal complications, and care measures to manage and reduce these complications. Given the individual differences in terms of nutrition and the variety of complications in different individuals, the session was held individually by two faculty members of the Nursing Department and the researcher using the face-to-face teaching method. At least one member of the patient’s family was required to attend the meetings.

The third session

It was on the educational program dealt with skin and hair complications and the care measures to manage and reduce these complications. It was a group meeting on the causes of fatigue, held by two faculty members of the Nursing Department and the researcher using the question-and-answer method.

The fourth session

It was about pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and decreased quality of sleep. The session was held individually by two faculty members of the Nursing Department and the researcher using the face-to-face teaching method at the presence of the patient’s family member.

The five session

It was on the ways to promote patient adjustment with mental, psychological, social, and family issues. It was held as a group meeting by a faculty member of the Psychiatry Department and the researcher through the use of the face-to-face teaching method.

The control group received no intervention.