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Two models of care as evaluated by a group of women operated on for breast cancer with regard to their perceived well‐being
Author(s) -
Lena Engqvist Boman,
Hjördis Björvell,
Ann Langius,
Björn Cedermark
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
european journal of cancer care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.849
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1365-2354
pISSN - 0961-5423
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2354.1999.00139.x
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , perception , social support , disease , health care , physical therapy , family medicine , cancer , psychotherapist , psychology , neuroscience , economics , biology , economic growth
The main aim of this study was to evaluate two different models of care for breast cancer patients with regard to the patients’ perceived well‐being. Twenty‐nine patients were treated in an established care model and 115 patients were treated at a surgical breast clinic with an increased personnel continuity and a short hospital stay. Two questionnaires were used, The Sense of Coherence (SOC) Scale and a study‐specific questionnaire concerning perceptions of the hospital stay, information received, body image, social support, pain, health and psycho‐sociological well‐being. Regression analyses were used to study the effects of the care models and the SOC on the patients’ perceived well‐being. The results showed that the care model with high personnel continuity had a significant positive effect on the patients’ emotional state, mental well‐being and perception of postoperative pain evaluated 1 year after surgery. The strongest predictors of the patients’ well‐being postoperatively were their perceived well‐being before surgery. Furthermore, the stronger the SOC the more positive were the patients’ emotional perceptions, perceived general health and mental well‐being after surgery. The duration of the hospital stay did not show any effect on the patients’ well‐being. It is concluded that an early preoperative psycho‐social assessment of the patients is of importance in planning the care, to help patients cope with the disease and its treatment. It is suggested that a care model with high personnel continuity for breast cancer patients could facilitate that assessment.