Women's satisfaction with their breast prosthesis: what determines a quality prosthesis?

Area of Science:

• Medical Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Patient-Reported Outcomes

Background:

• Breast prostheses are crucial for post-mastectomy reconstruction.
• Understanding factors influencing prosthesis quality and satisfaction is vital for patient well-being.
• Existing research may not fully capture the multifaceted aspects of prosthesis experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key determinants of breast prosthesis quality.
• To ascertain factors significantly affecting patient satisfaction with their prosthesis.
• To inform strategies for enhancing women's access to high-quality prosthetic devices.

Main Methods:

• Recruitment of 64 women with fully funded prostheses and 38 with standard hospital funding.
• Assessment of patient-reported outcomes including prosthesis fit, comfort, feel, weight, and appearance.
• Statistical analysis to determine associations between prosthesis characteristics and satisfaction/quality ratings.

Main Results:

• High ratings for provided information (85% "very good" or "excellent").
• Prosthesis satisfaction strongly linked to fit (p=.001), comfort (p=.005), and appearance (p=.001).
• Prosthesis quality associated with fit (p=.001), natural feel (p=.001), weight (p=.003), and appearance (p=.03).

Conclusions:

• Prosthesis fit, comfort, and aesthetic appearance are paramount for patient satisfaction.
• Natural feel and appropriate weight are critical components of prosthesis quality.
• Findings provide evidence-based recommendations for improving prosthetic device design and provision.