Survivorship care after breast cancer treatment--experiences and preferences of Australian women

Abstract

Follow-up care after breast cancer treatment is becoming more complex as it attempts to address the long-term needs of an increasing number of survivors. Workforce issues in oncology challenge the sustainability of current specialist-based care. This study explores survivors' experiences with follow-up care and attitudes to alternative models including a tailored survivorship care plan and involvement of primary care physicians and breast care nurses. Twenty women across Australia participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. All continued to attend follow-up visits with a specialist oncologist and reported a high level of satisfaction with care. Participants described a strong reliance on their specialist but were open to an increased role for their primary care physician in a shared model of care. Communication between multidisciplinary team members was perceived as an ongoing problem and there was enthusiasm for a patient-held written survivorship care plan to address this, and to meet information needs.