How do nurses assess the information received by breast cancer patients?

The aim of the study was to clarify how nurses assess the information targeted at breast cancer patients before, during and after hospitalization. The sample group consisted of 176 nurses from surgical and radiological wards and clinics in southwest Finland. The study used responses to a questionnaire investigating breast cancer patients' recovery. Of the sample, 71% responded to the questionnaire. Log-linear modelling was used for the final statistical analysis of the results. The findings obtained by log-linear modelling showed a cumulative effect. Various associations were seen in the responses of the nurses on how they assessed the information received by patients. Patients who were considered well-informed before hospitalization were similarly considered during their hospital stay. Nurses consider that they give their patients insufficient information. Further, nurses are not clear about their own role in the distribution of information.