Two models of care as evaluated by a group of women operated on for breastcancer with regard to their perceived well-being

The main aim of this study was to evaluate two different models of care for breast cancer patients with regard to the patients' perceived well-being. Twenty-nine patients were treated in an established care model and 115 pati ents were treated at a surgical breast clinic with an increased personnel c ontinuity and a short hospital stay. Two questionnaires were used, The Sens e of Coherence (SOC) Scale and a study-specific questionnaire concerning pe rceptions of the hospital stay, information received, body image, social su pport, pain, health and psyche-sociological well-being. Regression analyses were used to study the effects of the care models and the SOC on the patie nts' perceived well-being. The results showed that the care model with high personnel continuity had a significant positive effect on the patients' em otional state, mental well-being and perception of postoperative pain evalu ated 1 year after surgery. The strongest predictors of the patients' well-b eing postoperatively were their perceived well-being before surgery. Furthe rmore, the stronger the SOC the more positive were the patients' emotional perceptions, perceived general health and mental well-being after surgery. The duration of the hospital stay did not show any effect on the patients' well-being. It is concluded that an early preoperative psyche-social assess ment of the patients is of importance in planning the care, to help patient s cope with the disease and its treatment. It is suggested that a care mode l with high personnel continuity for breast cancer patients could facilitat e that assessment.