University of Leicester
Browse

Is seeing a specialist nurse associated with positive experiences of care? The role and value of specialist nurses in prostate cancer care.

Download (240.82 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2009-06-24, 15:26 authored by Carolyn Clare Tarrant, Paul Sinfield, Shona Agarwal, Richard Baker
Background: Specialist nurses may play an important role in helping to improve the experiences of patients with prostate cancer, however there is concern that the specialist nurse role is under threat in the UK due to financial pressures in the NHS. This study explored the role and value of specialist nurses in prostate cancer care via a survey and patient interviews. Methods: This paper reports findings from two studies. A survey of patients from three hospitals across the UK (289/481, 60%), investigated whether patients who saw a specialist nurse had different experiences of information provision and involvement in decision-making, to those who did not. Qualitative interviews were also carried out with 35 men recently tested or treated for prostate cancer, recruited from two hospitals in the UK. Interviews explored patients' views on the role and value of the specialist nurse. Results: Survey findings indicated that patients who saw a specialist nurse had more positive experiences of receiving written information about tests and treatment, and about sources of advice and support, and were more likely to say they made the treatment decision themselves. In interviews, patients described specialist nurse input in their care in terms of providing information and support immediately post-diagnosis, as well as being involved in ongoing care. Two key aspects of the specialist nurse role were seen as unique: their availability to the patient, and their ability to liaise between the patient and the medical system. Conclusion: This study indicates the unique role that specialist nurses play in the experience of patients with prostate cancer, and highlights the importance of maintaining specialist nurse roles in prostate cancer care.

History

Citation

BMC Health Services Research, 2008, 8:65

Version

  • VoR (Version of Record)

Published in

BMC Health Services Research

Publisher

BioMed Central Ltd

issn

1472-6963

Copyright date

2008

Available date

2009-06-24

Publisher version

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/8/65

Language

en

Usage metrics

    University of Leicester Publications

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Keywords

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC