Exploring aspects of physiotherapy care valued by breast cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the reported value of physiotherapy care received by patients who had accessed a Specialist Breast Care Physiotherapy Service.


METHODS
Exploratory qualitative study using in-depth interviews to explore aspects of physiotherapy care valued by breast cancer patients. Thematic network analysis was used to interpret the data and bring together the different experiences of the participants and identify common themes.


METHODS
Physiotherapy Department at a NHS Foundation Trust Teaching Hospital.


METHODS
Nineteen participants were recruited and three were selected to take part in the in-depth interviews. All participants had received physiotherapy care from a Specialist Breast Care Physiotherapy Service and had been discharged within the last six months.


RESULTS
Participants valued a patient-centred holistic approach to care and access to a Specialist Service with an experienced clinician. In particular the importance of the therapeutic alliance and the value of psychological, emotional and educational support emerged, with the participants feeling empowered in their recovery.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants reported an overall positive experience of their physiotherapy care. This study supports the need for service providers to evaluate their current physiotherapy provision and subsequently develop Specialised Services to meet the physiotherapy needs of breast cancer patients throughout all stages of their treatment pathway from the delivery of pre-operative care through to post-treatment follow-up.
Physiotherapy Department, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, Salford M6 8HD, United Kingdom. Electronic address: karen.pidlyskyj@srft.nhs.uk.
K
K
Pidlyskyj
University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: hroddam@uclan.ac.uk.
H
H
Roddam
University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: GRawlinson@uclan.ac.uk.
G
G
Rawlinson
University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, United Kingdom. Electronic address: JSelfe1@uclan.ac.uk.
J
J
Selfe
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom
Breast cancer; Patient care; Patient experience; Physiotherapy; Rehabilitation