The needs of breast cancer patients for nursing support during initial stationary treatment

Abstract

The aim of this study is to explore the subjective care needs, specially directed at nurses, of women with breast cancer during primary surgical therapy. Investigations have revealed that psychosocial support of affected women can have a positive effect on how they cope with the disease and on the course of the disease. Guideline-aided qualitative interviews with 42 affected women were conducted for the study. Data analysis was performed according to the criteria of an embracing content analysis. The needs of those women interviewed concern three levels: the emotional level encompassing the aspects of nurturance, emotional support and communi. cation in line with patients' needs, the problem level, in which reliable and professionelly correct care is important, and the organisational level, which stands for a patient-friendly organisational culture. Patients' expectations and needs toward nurses are varied, encompassing a wide spectrum of professional nursing care.