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- Title
Where Fear Begins: The Effect of a Nurse Navigator Home Visit to Decrease Distress in Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Patients.
- Authors
Smith, Ruth; Mannle, Sarah E.; Livsey, Kae R.; Tait, Elizabeth; Rossitch, John C.
- Abstract
Background: Patients newly diagnosed with breast cancer face overwhelming distress and fear, often due to a deficit of knowledge about the disease and expectations regarding a cancer diagnosis. Research shows that in times of other types of illness and exigency, home visits by a nurse have improved health and wellness; expedited progressive patient outcomes; and increased comfort and decreased anxiety, fear, and distress related to the situation, as shown in the literature review. Patients receiving a new diagnosis of breast cancer may also benefit from the support, education, and reassurance provided by a registered nurse navigator during a home visit to the clients. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine and assess the effect of a nurse navigator home visit to reduce distress among women who have been newly diagnosed with breast cancer. It was hypothesized that the amount of distress experienced would be less following the nurse navigator visit providing support and education than the amount experienced at the initiation of the visit. Methods: A total of 31 patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer from a hospital-based breast health center participated in the study. Participants self-reported ratings of their distress levels before and after a home visit intervention that included education, support, and navigation by a registered nurse navigator. Results: There was a significant reduction of distress levels as reported by participants (P = .001) from preintervention to postintervention. Conclusion: The findings suggest significantly decreased levels of distress in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients after receiving a home visit intervention including individualized education, support, and navigation.
- Publication
Journal of Oncology Navigation & Survivorship, 2017, Vol 8, Issue 12, p584
- ISSN
2166-0999
- Publication type
Academic Journal