The Process of Initial Treatment Choice among Female Patients with Breast Cancer Who Received a Second Opinion

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  • セカンドオピニオンを受けた女性乳がん患者の初期治療選択過程
  • セカンドオピニオン オ ウケタ ジョセイ ニュウガン カンジャ ノ ショキ チリョウ センタク カテイ

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<p>Abstract </p><p>The purpose of this study was to clarify the process through which female patients with breast cancer who had obtained a second opinion made an initial treatment choice, and to obtain suggestions for nursing practice. Data was collected from twenty-four subjects using a semi-structured interview and analyzed using the modified grounded theory approach. As a result, the process of initial treatment among the patients could be divided into two core categories: “doubts arising,” and “doubts being clarified.” At first, subjects experienced a crisis that “breast cancer will take their life,” then some underwent the stages of “questioning the value of life and the nature of womanhood,” “searching for information about a treatment to enable maintaining everyday life,” and “being overloaded with information and losing control.” At other times, subjects went through the stages of “not trusting this doctor” and “not being able to ask questions, understand anything, nor solve any problems.” Due to subjects experiencing “finding no decisive factors in making a treatment choice”, they reached the conclusion that “a second opinion is the only means” and through “being encouraged by surrounding people”, every patient decided to seek a second opinion. After receiving a second opinion, subjects experienced “being fully prepared because they understood clearly.” Although they sometimes went back to the stage of “questioning the value of life and the nature of womanhood,” and “not being able to ask questions, understand anything, nor solve any problems,” they eventually made a treatment choice by feeling “confusion removal through consultation with healthcare professionals” and “finding a satisfactory treatment.” Results suggest that nurses need to understand the reasons why female patients with breast cancer seek a second opinion, and the process by which they receive it. Helping patients find a treatment that allows them to maintain their everyday routines is especially important. Due to their involvement in the patientsʼ care on a day-to-day basis, nurses are in the best position to do so.</p>

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