title: Access to breast prostheses via a government-funded service in Victoria, Australia. Experience of women and service providers.
abstract: For many women, the only alternative to breast reconstruction following a mastectomy is to use external prostheses, which need replacing regularly at a cost of up to $395 per prosthesis. Commonwealth and state governments across Australia have responded to this need by providing subsidies to assist in the purchase of breast prostheses. However, current arrangements have been highly variable and sometimes difficult to access. As part of a larger review of breast prosthesis services in Victoria, Australia, the aim of this research was to evaluate client satisfaction among Victorian women who accessed funds through the State Government's Aids and Equipment Program, compare the responses of the program service providers with the experiences of clients accessing funding, and identify opportunities to improve service provision.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000191:economics*; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D005380:Financing, Government; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D020034:Silicone Gels; D014739:Victoria
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels