The Impact of Breast Care Nurses on Patients’ Satisfaction, Understanding of the Disease, and Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Breast care nurses (BCNs) are specialized caregivers in certified breast cancer center teams. The impact of a BCN's work remains unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The role of BCN care was evaluated in a post-discharge mail survey of 360 patients. RESULTS: A total of 207 (87%) of 237 (66%) returned questionnaires were analyzed; 171 (83%) patients had BCN contact, 36 (17%) did not. The mean global quality of life scores (EORTC-QLQ-C30) were 66.3 for women with contact to a BCN versus 62.5 for women without such contact (p < 0.05). Women with a BCN contact had better results than women without (p < 0.001) for the following parameters: receipt of information material (84 vs. 64%), information about hospital procedures (93 vs. 72%) and treatment plan (91 vs. 63%), and knowledge of own tumor hormone receptor status (83 vs. 53%). Medication adherence correlated with the knowledge about the tumor hormone receptor status and was significantly higher in women having contact with a BCN (79 vs. 56%). The high recommendation rate (81%) reflects the high level of satisfaction with BCNs. A qualitative analysis of comments and suggestions identified aspects to improve BCN services. CONCLUSIONS: BCN improve satisfaction and treatment adherence in breast cancer patients.