2.2 Data collection
In this study data were collected via comprehensive face to face
interviews and also medical chart reviews. For interview, we designed an
interview form consisting of three separated parts. In the first part
age, sex, marital status, place of residence and educational level of
patients were collected as demographic information. The second part
included the common name of herbal medicines which patients used them in
oral route during chemotherapy courses. In the last part of the
interview form, common side effects of chemotherapy such as constipation
and diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, pain, skin and oral lesions were
asked. In this part, the status of other comorbidity illnesses was
recorded. The first author interviewed all patients in waiting rooms of
clinics before the start of chemotherapy course or after its completion.
Other clinical information was obtained through medical chart review.
The cancer site, clinical stage, metastatic status and recurrence status
were in clinical information category. To protect patients’ privacy,
this part of the data collection was done by the staff of the oncology
clinics.