The usefulness of a multidisciplinary educational programme after breast cancer surgery : A prospective and comparative study

• The aim of the study was to compare and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational programme with traditional follow-up visits to a physician after breast cancer surgery in terms of well-being, aspects of self-care and coping ability 1 year after diagnosis. A reduction in the intensity of follow-up after breast cancer surgery is recommended. New follow-up models are being debated and could be of interest. The study design was non-randomised and comparative. Ninety-six consecutively selected women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, classified as stage I or stage II, participated in either a multidisciplinary educational programme (n = 5 0), or traditional follow-up by a physician (n = 4 6). Three questionnaires were used: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), a study specific questionnaire regarding self-care aspects (SCA) and Sense of Coherence (SOC). With the exception of physical well-being at baseline there was no significant difference between the groups. The women in the multidisciplinary educational programme increased their physical and functional well-being (P < 0.0 1). The women in traditional follow-up by a physician increased their functional well-being while social/family well-being (P < 0.0 1) decreased over time. There was a statistically significant difference in SOC (P < 0.0 0 1) in the traditional follow-up by a physician between baseline (mean=74.4, SD=12.4) and the 1-year follow up (mean=67.7, SD=11.4). Thus, women in the traditional follow-up by a physician scored lower in the area of SOC 1 year after diagnosis. A multidisciplinary educational programme may be an alternative to traditional follow-up by a physician after breast cancer surgery, but more research is needed about the financial benefits and effectiveness of such a programme. 

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Breast cancer

Coping ability

Education

Follow-up

Self-care

Well-being

adaptive behavior

aftercare

aged

article

attitude to health

breast tumor

comparative study

daily life activity

evaluation

health care quality

health service

health status

human

mastectomy

middle aged

nursing

nursing education

nursing evaluation research

oncology

organization and management

outcome assessment

patient care

patient education

prospective study

psychological aspect

questionnaire

self care

Sweden

Activities of Daily Living

Adaptation

Psychological

Breast Neoplasms

Health Services Needs and Demand

Humans

Medical Oncology

Nursing Education Research

Outcome Assessment (Health Care)

Patient Care Team

Patient Education as Topic

Program Evaluation

Prospective Studies

Questionnaires

follow-up

education

breast cancer

coping ability

self-care

well-being

MEDICINE

Nursing

Vårdvetenskap

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)