The Evaluation of a Nursing Care Model for Breast Cancer: What Are Women’s Priorities?

Abstract

Aim: To assess patient satisfaction with the breast care nurse (BCN) model and its adequacy in meeting patients’ needs for information and support.

Background: The BCN is a core multidisciplinary member of the breast cancer team. The evaluation of care models is necessary to detect gaps and improve the quality of care.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study took place in a breast pathology unit and included patients with early breast cancer seen between 1 July 2016 and 30 June 2017 after finishing their treatment. Between July and December 2018, sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected from the clinical history, and satisfaction was measured using a questionnaire sent to the patients.

Results: Of the 139 patients included, 99.3% reported that the BCN provided information correctly, 96.2% reported that she provided adequate information on self-care at home (96.2%), and 97.8% reported that the words of the BCN helped them feel better. However, some patients were unsure whether the BCN would have been willing to discuss alternative therapies (41%).

Conclusions: Patients were satisfied with the BCN, including her role in meeting information and support needs. However, some issues needed to be sufficiently addressed. Comprehensive, continuous assessment is required to understand patient needs. Training and specific studies on topics that are of interest to patients can help respond to these needs.

Implications for Nursing Management: BCN functions are being developed in some countries. BCN results make it easier for healthcare managers to commit to this role and for nurses to develop all their competencies. BCN models must respond to international guidelines but are also determined by organizational resources. The evaluation of these models is essential and must be considered by users. Advanced practice nursing roles, including the BCN, are well established in some countries but developing in others. BCN results make it easier for healthcare managers to commit to this role and for nurses to develop all their skills. BCN models must respond to the elements determined by organizations that work to improve the quality of care for patients with breast cancer. However, they are also determined by organizational resources. The evaluation of these models is essential to correct deficiencies and improve the quality of care. An important part of the evaluation must take into account the user who receives the care, in terms of satisfaction and the form of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).