Satisfaction with and perceived benefits of needs-assessment related to rehabilitation after chemotherapy among patients with breast cancer

Marta Kramer Mikkelsen; Helle Elisabeth Jensen; Guri Spiegelhauer; Kirsten Amdi; Kasper Madsen; Kirstine Steen Nybom; Rikke Balschmidt Holm-Petersen; Dorte Nielsen

doi:10.1080/09638288.2023.2225880

Satisfaction with and perceived benefits of needs-assessment related to rehabilitation after chemotherapy among patients with breast cancer

Disabil Rehabil. 2023 Jun 22:1-10. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2225880. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Marta Kramer Mikkelsen¹, Helle Elisabeth Jensen², Guri Spiegelhauer¹, Kirsten Amdi¹, Kasper Madsen², Kirstine Steen Nybom¹, Rikke Balschmidt Holm-Petersen¹, Dorte Nielsen¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.
² Department of Oncology, Clinical Research Unit, Copenhagen University Hospital, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Herlev, Denmark.

PMID: 37345500
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2225880

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate satisfaction with and perceived benefits of a model of needs-assessment related to rehabilitation (NARR) in women with early breast cancer after (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy.

Materials and methods: Mixed methods were applied using survey (N = 200) along with interviews (N = 20). The survey included measurement of distress and self-assessed need of and satisfaction with the NARR. Type of experienced side/late effects were registered along with numbers of and reasons for referrals to rehabilitation. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were analyzed with thematic analysis.

Results: Overall, 217 patients participated in a NARR and 200 (92%) accepted participation in the survey. Furthermore, 20/37 (54%) invited patients were interviewed. After the NARR, 39 patients (20%) were referred to rehabilitation. While satisfaction was high, findings regarding distress and need of the NARR were equivocal and indicated a need for talking about experiences throughout the cancer trajectory.

Conclusions: While only 20% had rehabilitation needs, satisfaction with the NARR was high and patients benefitted from being confirmed in normality of their experiences. It is recommended to address patients' side/late effects after chemotherapy for early breast cancer to identify rehabilitation needs, reduce distress, and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Breast cancer; chemotherapy; interviews; needs-assessment; rehabilitation; satisfaction; survey.

Plain language summary

One fifth of patients with early breast cancer were referred to rehabilitation after needs-assessments conducted 2 months after chemotherapy termination.Higher distress and higher self-reported need were significantly associated with not working and experiencing a higher number of side effects/late effects.It is recommended to address patients’ side effects/late effects, including psychological distress, after termination of chemotherapy for early breast cancer to identify rehabilitation needs, reduce distress, and ultimately improve quality of life.