Specialist breast cancer nurses’ views on implementing a fear of cancer recurrence intervention in practice: a mixed methods study

• DOI: 10.1007/s00520-019-04762-9
• Publication Date: 2019-04-17T08:06:20Z
• Authors: Susanne Cruickshank; Emma Steel; Deborah Fenlon; Jo Armes; Elspeth Banks; Gerald Humphris
• Keywords: RT Nursing; Adult; Mixed methods; Attitude of Health Personnel; 150; NDAS; 610; Nurses; Breast Neoplasms; Medical Oncology; RT; RC0254; 03 medical and health sciences; Breast cancer; Fear of cancer recurrence; 0302 clinical medicine; Normalisation process theory; SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being; Cancer Survivors; Surveys and Questionnaires; 616; Humans; Nurse specialist; Normalisation process; Aged; Specialties, Nursing; Practice Patterns, Nurses'; Mini-AFTERc intervention; Nurse; RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer); Health Plan Implementation; Fear; Middle Aged; 3. Good health; Phobic Disorders; Quality of Life; Original Article; Female; Perception; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in people with breast affects treatment recovery, quality life, service utilisation and relationships. Our aim was to investigate how specialist nurses (SBCN) respond their patients' fears analyse SBCN's views about embedding a new psychological intervention, the Mini-AFTERc, into consultations.A mixed methods sequential design used, informed by normalisation process theory. Phase 1: UK SBCNs were emailed web-based survey survivors' FCR is currently identified managed, willingness utilise Mini-AFTERc. 2: purposive sample respondents (n = 20) interviewed augment phase 1 responses, explore on importance addressing FCR, interest Mini-AFTERc its content, skills required challenges delivering intervention.Ninety responded survey. When asked identify proportion patients experiencing caseload, there no consensus size problem or unmet need. They estimated that 20-100% experience moderate 10-70% severe FCR. The interviews clinical conversations are focused primarily giving information signs symptoms rather than aspects fear.Findings indicate wide variability identified, assessed supported SBCNs. introduction structured intervention practice viewed favourably has implications for nursing health professional ways working all services.