THE PATIENTS POINT-OF-VIEW - RESULTS OF THE WORKING GROUP ON SOCIOPSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FOLLOW-UP

Aim of the Study Group for Psycho-Social Implications of Follow-up. Fo r the first time in Italy, patients and members of breast-cancer patie nts' associations have been offered the opportunity to participate in the production of recommendations for the framework of a national Cons ensus Conference on the follow-up of breast cancer. Organization and m ethods of the working groups: Three different working groups were asse mbled. The first performed an 'epidemiological analysis': starting wit h available data from surveys carried out in Italy. The second perform ed a qualitative assessment of personal response to the follow-up expe rience. Finally, the third group organized a focus group of patients t reated in the Apulia region, coordinated by a surgeon, a radiotherapis t and a psychologist. Conclusions: The final document presented to the Jury of the Conference focused on five aspects particularly relevant to the patients: 1. the need of a regular clinical examination as a ke y point of follow-up; 2. the importance of being assured of continuity of care delivered by a multidisciplinary team; 3. the importance of f ull information sharing between patient and physician on diagnosis and follow-up; 4. the need for explicit guidelines to assure that patient s receive good quality care and to minimize unjustified variations; 5. the importance of breast cancer patients' associations was confirmed by all participants.