title: Women's satisfaction with their breast prosthesis: what determines a quality prosthesis?
abstract: The aim of this study is to determine what factors constitute a quality prosthesis and ascertain which factors affect prosthesis satisfaction. Sixty-four women who received full funding for their prosthesis and 38 women who received their hospital's usual funding were recruited. Women rated the information provided about breast prostheses very highly, with 85% reporting that it was "very good" or "excellent." Satisfaction was significantly associated with how well the prosthesis fit (1 week, p = .001; 3 months, p = .01), level of comfort (3 months, p=.005), and appearance of the prosthesis when worn (6 months, p = .001). Quality was significantly associated with how well it fit (1 week, p = .001; 3 months, p = .001), how natural it felt (1 week, p = .001; 6 months, p = .01), the weight of the prosthesis (3 months, p = .003), and appearance when worn (6 months, p = .03). The results will be used to improve women's access to a quality prosthesis.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Council Victoria.
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Livingston
authors.forename: Victoria M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pritchard
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gibbs
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003152:Community Health Nursing; D005260:Female; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008408:Mastectomy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria