[Guidance for breast cancer patients in the surgical ward and in the outpatient department].

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of breast cancer patients, who had undergone a breast operation. The study focused on patients' perceptions of the length of hospital stay and the sources and contents of information given to them. Patients also evaluated how they could participate in the decision making concerning the choice of operation. Data were collected by questionnaires given to 100 patients at one hospital. The questionnaires were returned circa 2 weeks later when the patients visited the hospital for follow up examinations. Of the sample, 71% responded to the questionnaire. All patients had undergone an operation, either resection of the breast, ablation of the breast, or immediate reconstruction of the breast. The results were presented in frequencies and percentages. The average time spent by patients in surgical ward was 3, 5 days for resection and ablation and 11 days for reconstruction. Most patients (86%) considered, that the hospital stay was sufficiently long. The patients felt that the information they received had met their needs quite well. They were well-informed about operation, illness in general, exercises of arms and anesthesia. They got less information about future treatments (hormonal treatment, chemotherapy, x-ray and reconstruction of the breast). The greatest need for further information was about future treatments. Most patients (72%) considered that they had coped well at home; even drainage had not caused much trouble. Patients had received most information from surgeons, nurses and written sources. Two-thirds (66%) of the patients reported, that they could participate in decision making concerning the choice of operation.