Phase 1: Introduction
The research topic selected is the Support for Breast Cancer Patients. The purpose for the selection of this topic is to assess the impact that support for breast cancer survivors has on them. The research will investigate the type of support that has tangible positive impact on the breast cancer survivor. Surviving breast cancer can be a traumatic encounter for any patient. Having some form of support from professionals may be necessary to help the survivors in their psychological recovery process. Research shows that participating in breast cancer support groups is fundamental for the reduction of anxiety and stress that emanates from diagnosis with breast cancer. This research will investigate the legitimacy and impact of breast cancer support. The outcomes of this research are supposed to educate cancer survivors and breast cancer support groups on the importance of support.

Diagnosis with breast cancer can be a devastating experience for any person. Most people have grown up to believe that diagnosis with any type of cancer is a death sentence. There is a good chance that any breast cancer patient will suffer psychological distress, anxiety, and perhaps suffer from depression if they do not receive the necessary mental support and care. As a professional in healthcare it is important to make sure that cancer patients have the necessary support systems and medical intervention to help them recover physically and psychologically. When the support given is outstanding the cancer patient will have an easier time dealing with the breast cancer and their recovery process will be way better. It is, therefore, important to understand what goes into effective support for breast cancer patients.

Research has it that an excess of half of the breast cancer patients looking to undergo mastectomy have no adequate information concerning reconstructive surgery that is in synchrony with the personal goals they have set for themselves (UT News, 2017). According to the research suggestions surgeons are supposed to work more closely with their patients in order for them to understand their preferences and values and to ensure that there is an amicable understanding of the risks, merits and demerits of each choice. The research study measured the participants’ knowledge concerning mastectomy and reconstruction mastectomy. The research also measured the preferences of the cancer patients. Some of the primary preferences included complication risk, recovery period, and the appearance of the breast after treatment (UT News, 2017). The research findings indicated that less than 50% of the women had significant medical knowledge concerning reconstruction of their breast and therefore made choices that were in line with their preferences (UT News, 2017).

The findings of this research were concerning to the researchers because most women received mastectomy treatments they did not prefer. Breast cancer patients were concerned about the complication risks involved although they never knew anything concerning the extent of the risk involved (UT News, 2017). This research study discovered that 43% of breast cancer patients understood more than ½ of the fundamental facts concerning reconstruction and made choices that aligned to their preferences (UT News, 2017). The level of understanding concerning surgical complications among breast cancer patients was found to be quite low. Only 14% of breast cancer patients had a strong understanding of the risks associated with reconstruction (UT News, 2017). The truth is that there is always a 16% to 40% probability that the reconstruction will come with major complications within the first 2 years following a surgery (UT News, 2017). The findings are not exclusive to the reconstruction of breasts. There are gaps in the quality of decisions made by patients due to poor understanding of fundamental information concerning the treatment of choice and what they would prefer. This means that the patient support groups need to work harder in providing better patient support in order to make sure that the quality of care given is the type of care that the patient wants (UT News, 2017).

According to a CBS news article by Marcus (2016) many breast cancer patients find solace and comfort by connecting with their support groups, friends, and family after the diagnosis. However, some make the decision to conceal their illness by keeping it secret. The reason for this is that they do not...…the resources. Currently, support groups are not common. The routine counseling for all cancer patients is available but there is no support specifically designed for breast cancer patients.

Phase IV: Decision Stage

The breast cancer professional community including treatment specialists and nurses should be involved in making the decision on the best support system for breast cancer patients. A change in practice for the better will mean that cancer patients recover better emotionally and that they make better informed decisions in the recovery process. Current breast cancer support practices in the organization will have to be reviewed with an objective of coming up with better patient-oriented support system and programs.

Phase V: Translation/Application

c. What are the implications for practice?

The findings can be applied by breast cancer professionals in healthcare for better patient outcomes. The implementation protocol would involve redesigning the support system with a view of assisting patients with better breast cancer support systems. This may include enrolling the patients to online support groups, and face to face breast cancer intervention programs. The implication for the new support design for cancer patients is better psychological preparedness for the breast cancer patients, emotional stability, and informed choices on the recovery path.

Phase VI: Evaluation

c. What data will be used to evaluate the change in practice and patient care?

Give specific information about the evaluation process.

The anticipated outcome is better patient outcome in their emotional, psychological, and physical wellbeing. Breast cancer patients are at risk of suffering due to their unwillingness to get the support they need for better recovery. With enhanced support patients are bound to recover better. Changes in patient care and practice will be evaluated by examining patient outcome in terms of better control over their condition, adequate information concerning their situation and treatment processes, and optimism concerning their recovery journey and against distress and anxiety. Protocol will be evaluated by standardizing the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and support processes. The breast cancer patients will be subjected to a rigorous process of information and preparation for the recovery process through psychoeducation and appropriate psychological and physical support.

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