Journal
PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING
Volume 77, Issue 3, Pages 413-420Publisher
ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2009.09.042
Keywords
Institute of Medicine Guidelines for Survivorship Care; Breast cancer survivors; Patient-physician communication; Communication disparities
Funding
- Lance Armstrong Foundation
- Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure
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Objective: To investigate patient reports of physician communication about the 2006 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Guidelines for Survivorship Care, and patient follow-tip care behaviors in a sample of African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors. Methods: Fifteen-minute telephone interviews were conducted in a cross-sectional Study with a sample of African American (n = 30) and Caucasian (n = 69) breast cancer patients, who were within 5 years of their diagnosis and primary treatment for breast cancer at two Baltimore, Maryland medical centers, during the summer of 2006. Multiple items assessed patient reports of physician discussions about IOM Guidelines, their recurrence concerns, and their follow-tip treatment, screening, diet and exercise practices. Results: Patients with higher incomes, more education, female physicians, and of younger ages reported more complete physician discussions of the IOM Guidelines. No significant differences were noted between African American and Caucasian patients. Conclusion: Patients at greatest risk for breast cancer recurrence - those with less education, income, and resources - report limited guidance from their physicians about evidence-based, follow-up care guidelines, designed to minimize their risk. Practice implications: Physicians need strategies for effectively delivering the IOM Guidelines for Survivorship Care to disadvantaged breast cancer patients, to promote enhanced quality of life and reduced risk of recurrence. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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