Satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction : experiences in the early post-operative stage

Murray, Craig and Turner, Alex and Rehan, Claire and Kovacs, Tibor (2015) Satisfaction following immediate breast reconstruction : experiences in the early post-operative stage. British Journal of Health Psychology, 20 (3). pp. 579-593. ISSN 1359-107X

Abstract

Objectives This qualitative study aimed to achieve an understanding of women's experiences of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy, to better understand the factors influencing patient satisfaction. Design Nine women were recruited from a breast unit in the North West of England. Participants were 3–9 months post-reconstruction, had received either an implant-based or Latissimus Dorsi-based immediate reconstruction and were not receiving any adjuvant therapies. An inductive qualitative and phenomenological approach was adopted to data collection and analysis. Methods Women took part in semi-structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Results Four themes were generated: Seeking and receiving information; coping with the outcome of reconstruction; the need for on-going support and a new life after surgery. Conclusion The study highlights difficulties surrounding receiving information and decision-making, how women make sense of recovery, how they solicit and receive support, and the process by which they begin to make sense of their futures. More focus on these areas in service provision may aid positive psychological outcomes in the recovery process following immediate breast reconstruction.