title: Perceptions of Israeli women with breast cancer regarding the role of the Breast Care Nurse throughout all stages of treatment: a multi center study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The role of the Breast Care Nurse (BCN) is well established in Israel. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the BCN on Israeli women with breast cancer at all stages of disease from diagnosis, through treatment and follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive multi-center study on 321 women with non-metastatic breast cancer who completed their treatment <5 years before. Data collection took place in seven institutions in Israel, both in hospital and in the community. The women completed two questionnaires: a demographic questionnaire and the Ipswitch Patient Questionnaire looking at various aspects of care. Also included was one qualitative open question. Data analysis was performed checking for outliers and illogical observations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In most areas investigated the women perceived the overall contribution of the BCN as very high, with 87% reporting a general contribution of very high or high. It was found that 53% of the women received information about the position from the nurse herself. In 61.3% of the cases, initial contact with the BCN was made at the time of diagnosis. The qualitative findings concerning the open question are also reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the perceptions of women with breast cancer in Israel, BCN support is an important part of the patient's ability to manage their diagnosis and related care. The multi-disciplinary breast cancer team should incorporate BCN specialists as part of their holistic care.
authors.affiliation: Hadassah Medical Organization, P.O.B 12000, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Electronic address: ikadmon@hadassah.org.il.
authors.forename: Ilana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kadmon
authors.affiliation: Clalit Community Department, Sakhnin, Israel. Electronic address: hanaa12@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Halag
authors.affiliation: Assaf Harofeh Hospital, Zrifin 70300, Israel. Electronic address: iritd@asaf.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Irit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dinur
authors.affiliation: Meir Hospital, 59 Tchernichovsky, Kfar Saba 44410, Israel. Electronic address: amos_k@netvision.net.il.
authors.forename: Aliza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.affiliation: Rambam Medical Center, P.O.B 9602, Haifa 31096, Israel. Electronic address: hm_zohar@yifat.org.il.
authors.forename: Hana
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zohar
authors.affiliation: Kaplan Medical Center, Pasternak St., P.O.B. 1, Rechovot 76100, Israel. Electronic address: myrada@clalit.org.il.
authors.forename: Myra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Damari
authors.affiliation: The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 52621, Israel. Electronic address: malka.cohen@sheba.health.gov.il.
authors.forename: Malka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel. Electronic address: elite.levin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elite
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.affiliation: Israel Cancer Association, 7 Revivim St., Givatayim 53103, Israel. Electronic address: Livia_k@cancer.org.il.
authors.forename: Livia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kislev
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009859:Oncology Nursing; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Breast Care Nurse (BCN) role; Breast cancer; Breast cancer in Israel; Breast cancer nursing; Multi-disciplinary breast team