Health care experiences among women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer.
Gestational breast cancer (GBC) presents many challenges for women and the clinicians who care for them. The aim of this study was to explore the health care experiences of women diagnosed with GBC to inform and improve clinical care of women in this predicament. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 women who had been diagnosed with GBC in the previous 5 years. The overarching themes for perceived quality of care were "communication" and "comprehensive care." "Communication" had two sub themes: "interdisciplinary communication" (the way health professionals from different disciplines communicated with each other about the management of the woman's care) and "patient communication" (how they communicated this to the woman). The "comprehensive care" theme incorporated three sub themes: "the spirit" (psychological care); "the mind" (information provision); and "the body" (management of treatment side effects). Women's own accounts of positive and negative experiences of GBC care provide unique and specific insights which improve understanding of their concerns and needs. The findings can inform advances in quality and efficacy of clinical care; offer guidance for obstetricians, oncologists and allied health professionals about the needs of women diagnosed with GBC and how care can be optimised; and inform the development of resources to assist women and their families.
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
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http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5988-5865
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Hammarberg
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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E
Sullivan
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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N
Javid
Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.|Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
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G
Duncombe
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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L
Halliday
Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Mater Hospital North Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia.|University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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F
Boyle
School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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C
Saunders
Cancer Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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A
Ives
School of Women's and Infants' Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
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JE
Dickinson
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
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J
Fisher
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D003142:Communication; D019033:Delivery of Health Care, Integrated / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000592:standards*
experience of care; gestational breast cancer; patient-centred care; pregnancy; qualitative method