| Constipation is a common side effect of chemotherapy and cancer treatment, which causes discomfort in patients and has the potential to increase medical costs (Selwood, 2006; Woolery, et al., 2006). The Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) is a visual scale for stages of normal and abnormal stool that was created in order to assist in accurately diagnosing abnormal stool (Heaton & Lewis, 1997). The purpose of the scholarly project was to determine whether in pediatric oncology providers, the BSFS for children was more effective than current practice at determining normal and abnormal stool. A total of 18 participants completed the study. There was a statistically significant improvement on the post educational assessment scores, indicating that the BSFS for children was more effective than current practice (p = .002). The reliability of the BSFS for children demonstrated an acceptable reliability at time point one (7 items; alpha = .565) and an improved reliability at time point two (7 items; alpha = .769). Test-retest reliability demonstrated no significant change from time point one or two (p = 1.000). The BSFS for children appears to be an improvement on current assessment of stool in pediatric oncology providers, as well as having acceptable reliability.;Keywords: Bristol stool form scale, constipation, providers, assessment. |
