Psycho-oncology
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Cancer patients who are deficient in literacy skills are particularly vulnerable to experiencing different outcomes due to disparities in care or barriers to care. Outcomes measurement in low literacy patients may provide new insight into problems previously undetected due to the challenges of completing paper-and-pencil forms. ⋯ The TT is a practical, user-friendly data acquisition method that provides greater opportunities to measure self-reported outcomes in patients with a range of literacy skills.
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This multi-centred study examined how 93 women due to undergo mastectomy had elected for (n=37) or against (n=56) immediate breast reconstruction. Initial semi-structured interviews were conducted prior to undergoing surgery whilst follow-up interviews 6 and 12 months later examined particpants' experiences of surgery and their views on their decision. Three decision-making styles were identified. ⋯ Experiences of surgery often failed to match patients' pre-surgical expectations and the process of adjusting to the impact of surgery continued throughout the following year, during which women contended with a range of problems including pain, scarring and adjusting to a reconstructed breast. However, most women reported themselves satisfied with their decision and justified their choices by focussing on positive aspects of their surgery. Whilst many women make a quick decision about breast reconstruction, research needs to explore ways of facilitating decision-making amongst those who find this decision particularly difficult.