title: Supporting patients during their breast cancer journey: the informational role of clinical nurse specialists.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Research evidence suggests that a multidisciplinary team approach improves the outcomes of patients with breast cancer. However, limited attention has examined the extent to which the clinical nurse specialist's (CNS's) role can impact Irish patients' care, particularly given the novelty of this role in Ireland.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the informational role of CNSs in supporting Irish patients during their breast cancer journey and the extent of its impact on their care.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three Irish breast cancer teams were investigated. A Picker questionnaire was administered to more than 100 patients per team who had completed treatment. Questions focused on the patients' journey from diagnosis through to treatment completion. Follow-up interviews with the teams' CNSs were conducted to achieve a deeper understanding of the care received.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While patients reported an overall positive impression of their care, they were least satisfied with the amount of information and emotional support they received during their chemotherapy. Clinical nurse specialists commented that there is insufficient staffing in medical oncology to address this need in part because the ill-defined job description makes it difficult to quantify the impact of this role.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The informational role of the CNS is inadequately recognized and is thus not currently able to fully address patients' care needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clarification of the CNS's role description in oncology care in Ireland is needed as is sufficient CNS staffing to maintain the vital informational role of CNSs throughout the patients' breast cancer journey.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, University College Cork, Ireland (Dr Droog); HRM and Organisational Psychology Group, DCU Business School, Dublin City University, Ireland (Dr Armstrong); and Department of Personnel & Employment Relations, Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland (Dr MacCurtain).
authors.forename: Elsa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Droog
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: MacCurtain
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D007494:Ireland; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires