title: An evidence-based specialist breast nurse role in practice: a multicentre implementation study.
abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the feasibility, implementation, acceptability and impact of an evidence-based specialist breast care nurse (SBN) model of care in Australia. Primary data were collected from four diverse Australian breast cancer treatment centres over a 12-month period. The design was a multicentre demonstration project. Information about the provision of care and patient needs was collected through prospective logs. Structured interviews were conducted with women who received the SBN intervention (N = 167) and with a control group of women treated prior to the intervention period (N = 133). Health professionals (N = 47) were interviewed about their experience of the SBN. Almost all women had contact with an SBN at five scheduled consultations and 67% of women in the intervention group requested at least one additional consultation with the SBN. Women in the intervention group were more likely to receive hospital fact sheets and to be told about and participate in clinical trials. Ninety-eight per cent of women reported that the availability of an SBN would affect their choice of hospital, with 48% indicating that they would recommend only a hospital with a SBN available. Health professionals reported that SBNs improved continuity of care, information and support for the women, and resulted in more appropriate referrals and use of the time of other members of the team. In conclusion, the SBN model is feasible and acceptable within diverse Australian treatment centres; there is evidence that some aspects of care were improved by the SBN.
authors.affiliation: National Breast Cancer Centre, PO Box 572, Kings Cross, NSW 1340, Australia.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liebert
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parle
authors.forename: Celia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Redman
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carrick
authors.forename: Jillian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallagher
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Simpson
authors.forename: Kitty
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: M Asaduzzaman
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Glenn
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Salkeld
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Olver
authors.forename: Grantly
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchant
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coates
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: North
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akers
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannon
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gray
authors.forename: Jeanette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liebelt
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stoney
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hickey
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Archer
authors.forename: Cecily
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trotter
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011787:Quality of Health Care