A Breast Cancer Patient Information & Support

Program in a Managed Care Environment

Geiger AM, Mullen ES, Sloman PA, Edgerton BW, Petitti DB.

Purpose

• Improve health outcomes.

• Increase satisfaction with medical care via provision of social support and information.

• Rapid and inexpensive program evaluation.

Program Overview

• Multidisciplinary.

• Health Belief Model.

• Key Components:– program coordinator.– Information resources.– “Breast Buddy” mentor.

Evaluation Design

• Mailed survey of satisfaction four months after diagnosis.

• All women diagnosed at program sites.– Response rate 74% (82/111).

• Random sample of women from no program sites.– Response rate 81% (225/277).

Evaluation Results (1)

Program No Program

Excellent Rating of:

Pre-surgery Care 53% 39%

Information Provision 54% 38%

Emotional Support 49% 38%

Evaluation Results (2)

Program No Program

Very Satisfied with OverallBreast Cancer Care 71%56%

Desired or Obtained aSecond Opinion 35%51%

Conclusion

• Annual cost $25 - 75,000 for several hundred new breast cancer cases.

• Program benefits members, system

and community.

• Model expanded to other cancers.