The Role of the Breast Care Nurse During Treatment for Early Breast Cancer: The patient’s perspective
Georgia Halkett
NBCF Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Western Australian Centre for Cancer and Palliative Care, Division of Health Sciences, Curtin University of Technology, Perth WA
Paul Arbon
Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide SA
Sheila Scutter
Acting Research Degrees Coordinator, School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide SA
Martin Borg
Radiation Oncology, Adelaide Radiotherapy Centre, Adelaide SA
PP: 46
Abstract
Introduction
Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer
require the support of a range of people during their treatment.
Although the role of the breast care nurse in providing support has
recently been investigated in several Australian studies the patients'
perspective on the role of the breast care nurse in Australian
hospitals has not previously been described in detail. The aim of this
paper is to explore patients' perspectives on the role of the breast
care nurse.
Methods
In-depth interviews were conducted with 18 women who
had completed treatment for early breast cancer. The women were asked
to describe their experiences from the time of diagnosis through to
treatment completion. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.
Findings
Breast cancer patients repeatedly emphasised the
importance of the role of their breast care nurses throughout their
experience of breast cancer. The support that breast care nurses
provided incorporated the following components: communication, rapport
and an awareness of the women's needs, availability, reassurance and
practical information.
Conclusion
This study provides an understanding of women's
perspectives on the role of breast care nurses and confirms that breast
care nurses play an important support role during the experience of
early breast cancer. Oncology clinics should focus on ensuring that all
women who are diagnosed with breast cancer have adequate access to the
support that breast care nurses are able to provide.
Keywords
breast cancer, breast care nurse, hermeneutic phenomenology, in-depth interviewing
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