Exploring patient support by breast care nurses and geographical residence as moderators of the unmet needs and self-efficacy of Australian women with breast cancer: Results from a cross-sectional, nationwide survey
Journal article
Ahern, Tracey Ann, Gardner, Anne and Courtney, Mary. (2016). Exploring patient support by breast care nurses and geographical residence as moderators of the unmet needs and self-efficacy of Australian women with breast cancer: Results from a cross-sectional, nationwide survey. European Journal of Oncology Nursing. 23, pp. 72 - 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2016.05.001
Authors | Ahern, Tracey Ann, Gardner, Anne and Courtney, Mary |
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Abstract | Purpose: This study investigated whether use of services of a breast care nurse (BCN) at any time during treatment for breast cancer led to reduced unmet needs and increased self-efficacy among women with breast cancer. A secondary aim was to analyse comparisons between urban and rural and remote dwellers. Method: Participants were Australian women who completed treatment for breast cancer at least 6 months before the survey date, recruited through two national databases of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The cross-sectional online survey consisted of two well validated measures, the SCNS-SF34 and the CASE-Cancer Scale. Statistical data were analysed using SPSS, with chi-square used to measure statistical significance. Results: A total of 902 participants responded to the survey. Unmet needs in the psychological domain were most prominent. Respondents who used the services of a BCN were significantly less likely to report unmet needs regarding tiredness, anxiety; future outlook; feelings about death and dying; patient care and support from medical staff; and provision of health systems and information. Scores of self-efficacy showed women using the services of a BCN had significantly higher self-efficacy when seeking and obtaining information (ρ ≤ 0.001) and understanding and participating in care (ρ = 0.032). Urban dwellers were more likely to have choice of health care service, but overall neither unmet needs nor perceived self-efficacy varied statistically significantly by remoteness. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer experience a range of unmet needs; however those using BCN services demonstrated positive outcomes in terms of decreased unmet needs and increased self-efficacy. |
Keywords | breast cancer; breast care nurse; psychological domain; unmet needs; self-efficacy; geographical comparisons; survey |
Year | 2016 |
Journal | European Journal of Oncology Nursing |
Journal citation | 23, pp. 72 - 80 |
Publisher | Churchill Livingstone |
ISSN | 1462-3889 |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2016.05.001 |
Page range | 72 - 80 |
Research Group | School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine |
Publisher's version | File Access Level Controlled |
Place of publication | United Kingdom |
https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/8833z/exploring-patient-support-by-breast-care-nurses-and-geographical-residence-as-moderators-of-the-unmet-needs-and-self-efficacy-of-australian-women-with-breast-cancer-results-from-a-cross-sectional
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