Pre- and posttest evaluation of a breast cancer risk assessment program for nurse practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
Numerous studies have shown that healthcare providers, including nurse practitioners (NPs) fail to provide breast cancer risk assessment (BrCRA) in primary care settings. A potential barrier to the use of BrCRA is insufficient knowledge or training of risk assessment. The purpose of this study was to analyze the outcome of a BrCRA program developed to enhance NPs' knowledge of risk assessment and use of empiric risk assessment models.


METHODS
Thirty-five NPs participated in a before-after (pretest-posttest design) study evaluating the effectiveness of a BrCRA education program conducted at a national NP conference. Demographics, pre/post knowledge, and course satisfaction measures were all examined as a part of this pilot study.


CONCLUSIONS
Continuing education through the implementation of a BrCRA program significantly increased NPs knowledge in assessing breast cancer risk and the use of empiric risk assessment models.


CONCLUSIONS
Many healthcare providers, including NPs, are inadequately prepared to assess a woman's risk for breast cancer. Understanding breast cancer risk assessment is essential if NPs are to provide appropriate counseling, management, and referral strategies needed to reduce a woman's risk for developing the disease. Continuing education provides one means to enhance NP's knowledge of BrCRA.
Edwards
Quannetta T
QT
Western University of Health Sciences, College of Graduate Nursing, Pomona, California 91766-1854, USA. qedwards@westernu.edu
Seibert
Diane
D
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors