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Co-Design and Pilot Testing of a Nurse-Led GP-Supported Self-Management Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors with
Anu Correya1,2,3, Jing-Yu Benjamin Tan1,4, Xian-Liang Liu5
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia.
Insights
This study developed a nurse-led and GP-supported self-management intervention for breast cancer survivors with cardiovascular disease. The intervention aims to improve cardiovascular risk management in primary care settings.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Oncology
- Primary Care Research
Background:
- Breast cancer survivors (BCSs) with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) require effective self-management strategies.
- Current self-management interventions are often suboptimally implemented, leading to poor cardiovascular management in BCS with CVDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a nurse-led and GP-supported self-management (NGPS) intervention for BCS with CVDs.
- To evaluate the feasibility and potential effects of the NGPS intervention in primary care settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a double diamond co-design process and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework.
- Phase I involved developing and co-designing the NGPS protocol with healthcare professionals and BCSs.
- Phase II conducted a one-group pre-post pilot study to assess feasibility (recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability, safety) and explore preliminary effectiveness.
Main Results:
- A co-designed, evidence-based NGPS intervention protocol was developed.
- The pilot study assessed feasibility outcomes and explored preliminary effectiveness of the intervention.
- Qualitative interviews explored participant experiences with the pilot study.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a co-designed, evidence-based intervention for primary care nurses and GPs.
- This intervention aims to promote long-term health outcomes for patients with both breast cancer and CVDs.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Self-management intervention strategies are recommended to address the needs of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) who have cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Despite the benefits, these strategies are often suboptimally implemented, resulting in inadequate cardiovascular management among BCS with CVDs. The project aims to develop a nurse-led and GP-supported self-management (NGPS) intervention to reduce cardiovascular risks in BCS with CVDs and evaluate its feasibility and potential effects in primary care settings using the double diamond co-design process and the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework for Developing and Evaluating Complex Interventions. Methods: The study will be conducted in two phases. In phase I, an evidence-based and co-designed NGPS protocol with end-users will be preliminarily developed based on the identified research evidence, relevant theories, practice guidelines and the current practice standards in Australia. The co-design workshop(s) will involve healthcare professionals and BCSs with CVDs to further refine and validate the developed preliminary protocol. In phase II, a one-group pre-post pilot study will evaluate the feasibility of the intervention and study procedures, such as recruitment, retention, adherence, acceptability, and safety as primary outcomes. The study will also preliminarily explore the effectiveness of the intervention such as physiological measures as secondary outcomes to inform a future large-scale trial. Phase II also involves follow-up qualitative interviews to explore participants' experiences of the pre-post pilot study. The participants will be recruited from primary medical centres in Victoria. Conclusions: The findings will provide a co-designed evidence-based intervention for primary care nurses and General Practitioners (GPs) to promote long-term health outcomes for patients with both breast cancer (BC) and CVDs. Clinical registration: ClinicalTrial.gov (registration No. NCTO7313397).