A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate Advanced Nursing Care for Women with Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer.
Abstract
The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to evaluate the impact of an advanced practice nurse on the cost of care and quality of life for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The control group receives standard medical care while the experimental group receives standard medical care plus advanced practice nursing care. Of the patients eligible for the study, 71% (211 women) agreed to participate, with an attrition rate of 11%. Interventions of the advanced practice nurses (APN) including coordination of care, education, and support are ongoing with patients in the experimental group. Preliminary analysis of the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS) at one month showed that patients receiving APN interventions had significantly better scores on the sub-scales of complexity (understanding the system of care), inconsistency (receiving consistent information), and unpredictability (contingency between illness, treatment cues and illness outcomes), than the control group (p< 0.01). Intervention subjects also had less depression at one month (p<O.05). No statistical differences were found in other scores during this acute intervention phase. In 1999, final analysis will be conducted on cost outcomes using charge and reimbursement data and quality of life outcomes using the FACT-B, POMS, and the MUIS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA341378
Entities
People
- Laurie Ritz