Patient perceptions of physical rehabilitation education and treatment after breast cancer surgery: A mixed methods study

Abstract Purpose To investigate the content and delivery of physical rehabilitation education and treatment received by women following breast cancer surgery and to establish patient perceptions of this physical rehabilitation.Methods 509 Australian women (55 years SD 6.5) who previously had breast cancer surgery retrospectively completed an online survey about the content, delivery, satisfaction with and perceptions of the physical rehabilitation they received for six physical side-effects. The percentage of respondents who received each delivery format for the six physical side-effects and their satisfaction levels were tabulated. A thematic analysis was conducted on patients’ perceptions of the physical rehabilitation they received.Results Pamphlets were the most common delivery format of physical rehabilitation following breast cancer surgery. Common physical side-effects, however, were not included in the content and at less than 50% of women were satisfied with their physical rehabilitation. Three major themes emerged: Women perceived (i) they were unaware of and unprepared for the physical side-effects of their surgery/treatment, (ii) information delivery was unsuitable in terms of the timing, delivery format and cognisance of patient needs, and (iii) follow-up was insufficient at critical time points of recovery.Conclusion The physical rehabilitation received by women after all types of breast cancer surgery is perceived to be poor in terms of its content, delivery format and follow-up and women perceive that their needs at various stages of recovery are not being met. Physical rehabilitation needs to improve after all types of breast cancer surgery.