An exploration of Australian psychologists' role in assessing women considering risk-reducing or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

Lucy Braude; Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell; Jemma Gilchrist; Laura Kirsten; Ilona Juraskova

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2017.01.011

An exploration of Australian psychologists' role in assessing women considering risk-reducing or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

Lucy Braude, Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell, Jemma Gilchrist, Laura Kirsten, Ilona Juraskova

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Given increasing rates of risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) and contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM), and the potentially significant psychological sequelae of this irreversible procedure, health professionals (HPs) regularly refer patients to psychologists for pre-operative assessment and support. This is the first study to provide qualitative insights from HPs into the role of psychologists who are working with women considering RRM or CPM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 HPs (psychologists, surgeons, breast care nurses and genetic counsellors) experienced in treating patients before or after RRM/CPM completed semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or participated in a focus group (n = 10). Interviews were qualitatively analysed using Framework methods.

RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed four interconnected themes: (1) perceived patient motivation to undergo RRM/CPM; (2) HP reasons for psychologist referral; (3) role of the psychologist; and (4) value of psychologist involvement. The reported psychologist role included: mental health assessment, checking understanding of information, ensuring informed decision-making, preparation for the procedure, and management of post-surgical challenges.

CONCLUSION: Psychologists are perceived by HPs to have a key role in the multi-disciplinary care of patients considering RRM or CPM.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	105-111
Number of pages	7
Journal	Breast
Volume	32
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.breast.2017.01.011
Publication status	Published - Apr 2017
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

risk-reducing mastectomy
contralateral prophylactic mastectomy
psychologist
assessment
qualitative

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10.1016/j.breast.2017.01.011

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title = "An exploration of Australian psychologists' role in assessing women considering risk-reducing or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy",

abstract = "OBJECTIVES: Given increasing rates of risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) and contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM), and the potentially significant psychological sequelae of this irreversible procedure, health professionals (HPs) regularly refer patients to psychologists for pre-operative assessment and support. This is the first study to provide qualitative insights from HPs into the role of psychologists who are working with women considering RRM or CPM.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 HPs (psychologists, surgeons, breast care nurses and genetic counsellors) experienced in treating patients before or after RRM/CPM completed semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or participated in a focus group (n = 10). Interviews were qualitatively analysed using Framework methods.RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed four interconnected themes: (1) perceived patient motivation to undergo RRM/CPM; (2) HP reasons for psychologist referral; (3) role of the psychologist; and (4) value of psychologist involvement. The reported psychologist role included: mental health assessment, checking understanding of information, ensuring informed decision-making, preparation for the procedure, and management of post-surgical challenges.CONCLUSION: Psychologists are perceived by HPs to have a key role in the multi-disciplinary care of patients considering RRM or CPM.",

keywords = "risk-reducing mastectomy, contralateral prophylactic mastectomy, psychologist, assessment, qualitative",

author = "Lucy Braude and Rebekah Laidsaar-Powell and Jemma Gilchrist and Laura Kirsten and Ilona Juraskova",

year = "2017",

month = apr,

doi = "10.1016/j.breast.2017.01.011",

language = "English",

volume = "32",

pages = "105--111",

journal = "Breast",

issn = "0960-9776",

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T1 - An exploration of Australian psychologists' role in assessing women considering risk-reducing or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

AU - Braude, Lucy

AU - Laidsaar-Powell, Rebekah

AU - Gilchrist, Jemma

AU - Kirsten, Laura

AU - Juraskova, Ilona

PY - 2017/4

Y1 - 2017/4

N2 - OBJECTIVES: Given increasing rates of risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) and contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM), and the potentially significant psychological sequelae of this irreversible procedure, health professionals (HPs) regularly refer patients to psychologists for pre-operative assessment and support. This is the first study to provide qualitative insights from HPs into the role of psychologists who are working with women considering RRM or CPM.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 HPs (psychologists, surgeons, breast care nurses and genetic counsellors) experienced in treating patients before or after RRM/CPM completed semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or participated in a focus group (n = 10). Interviews were qualitatively analysed using Framework methods.RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed four interconnected themes: (1) perceived patient motivation to undergo RRM/CPM; (2) HP reasons for psychologist referral; (3) role of the psychologist; and (4) value of psychologist involvement. The reported psychologist role included: mental health assessment, checking understanding of information, ensuring informed decision-making, preparation for the procedure, and management of post-surgical challenges.CONCLUSION: Psychologists are perceived by HPs to have a key role in the multi-disciplinary care of patients considering RRM or CPM.

AB - OBJECTIVES: Given increasing rates of risk-reducing mastectomies (RRM) and contralateral prophylactic mastectomies (CPM), and the potentially significant psychological sequelae of this irreversible procedure, health professionals (HPs) regularly refer patients to psychologists for pre-operative assessment and support. This is the first study to provide qualitative insights from HPs into the role of psychologists who are working with women considering RRM or CPM.MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 HPs (psychologists, surgeons, breast care nurses and genetic counsellors) experienced in treating patients before or after RRM/CPM completed semi-structured interviews (n = 15) or participated in a focus group (n = 10). Interviews were qualitatively analysed using Framework methods.RESULTS: Qualitative analysis revealed four interconnected themes: (1) perceived patient motivation to undergo RRM/CPM; (2) HP reasons for psychologist referral; (3) role of the psychologist; and (4) value of psychologist involvement. The reported psychologist role included: mental health assessment, checking understanding of information, ensuring informed decision-making, preparation for the procedure, and management of post-surgical challenges.CONCLUSION: Psychologists are perceived by HPs to have a key role in the multi-disciplinary care of patients considering RRM or CPM.

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KW - assessment

KW - qualitative

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ER -

An exploration of Australian psychologists' role in assessing women considering risk-reducing or contralateral prophylactic mastectomy

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Keywords

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