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Noble N, Mackenzie L, Carey M, et al. Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2019;5:46doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5.
Noble, N., Mackenzie, L., Carey, M., Proietto, A., Sanson-Fisher, R., Walker, G., & Silcock, J. (2019). Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Pilot and feasibility studies, 546. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5
Noble, Natasha, et al. "Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery." Pilot and feasibility studies vol. 5 (2019): 46. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5
Noble N, Mackenzie L, Carey M, Proietto A, Sanson-Fisher R, Walker G, Silcock J. Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2019 Mar 16;5:46. doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5. eCollection 2019. PMID: 30923627; PMCID: PMC6420722.
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Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2019 Mar 16;5:46. doi: 10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5. eCollection 2019.

Cross-sectional survey to inform the development of a telehealth support model: a feasibility study for women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Pilot and feasibility studies

Natasha Noble, Lisa Mackenzie, Mariko Carey, Anthony Proietto, Robert Sanson-Fisher, Gail Walker, Judith Silcock

Affiliations

  1. 1School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia.
  2. 2Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308 Australia.
  3. 3Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW Australia.
  4. Hunter New England Local Health District, New Lambton Heights, NSW Australia.
  5. Breast and Endocrine Centre, Gateshead, NSW Australia.

PMID: 30923627 PMCID: PMC6420722 DOI: 10.1186/s40814-019-0426-5

Abstract

BACKGROUND: For patients undergoing breast cancer surgery, the pre- and post-operative periods can be characterised by feelings of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Telehealth offers an opportunity to provide perioperative support to surgical patients and overcome some of the barriers to accessing care.

AIMS: In order to inform the development of a telehealth support model for women undergoing breast cancer surgery, this feasibility study explored: (a) access and preferences for telehealth; and (b) the proportion of participants who reported problems with unmet information and preparation needs related to surgery, post-operative pain, anxiety, and quality of life.

METHODS: Women aged 18-85 years attending for a follow-up appointment within 2 months of undergoing surgery for breast cancer were asked to complete a baseline (T1) and 1-month follow-up (T2) survey. Surveys assessed telehealth access and preferences, preparatory information receipt and preparedness for surgery, and anxiety, pain, and quality of life.

RESULTS: Fifty-three T1 (45% consent rate) and 50 T2 surveys were returned. One fifth of the sample (20%) travelled 50 km or more to access surgery. Most participants had access to a device suitable for telehealth (75%); however, only 15% indicated that they would have accepted a teleconsultation with their surgeon post-operatively if this had been offered. The most frequently reported unmet preparatory information needs were information about: how long it would take to recover from the surgery; how other patients had experienced similar surgery; and practical needs such as parking or transport. Approximately one third of the sample reported potentially clinically significant symptoms of anxiety, and less than one in ten women reported moderate levels of pain.

CONCLUSIONS: While the majority of women had access to a suitable device and internet connection for telehealth, less than one fifth would have accepted a home-based video-link teleconsultation with their surgeon post-operatively. A small proportion of the sample would have liked more information about aspects of surgery including about managing side effects and anxiety. The key findings in terms of teleconsultation preferences and information and preparation needs from this study will be incorporated into the telehealth support model being developed.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Feasibility; Information needs; Preparation; Psychosocial; Surgery; Telehealth

Conflict of interest statement

Ethical approval for the study was obtained from the University of Newcastle Human Research Ethics Committee (Ref: H-2015-0412). All study participants provided written informed consent to participate

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