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Improving preoperative education in breast cancer patients: the influence of monitoring and blunting coping styles

Bruggink, L.T. (2010) Improving preoperative education in breast cancer patients: the influence of monitoring and blunting coping styles.

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Abstract:Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a monitoring and blunting coping style on receiving preoperative patient information in newly diagnosed breast cancer patients undergoing curative surgery. Methods: Participants (N=42) completed three questionnaires, one after receiving their diagnoses, one after their preoperative consultation and one after undergoing surgery. Patients‟ coping styles were assessed using the Threatening Medical Situations Inventory (TMSI), dividing patients in high vs. low monitors and high vs. low blunters. Results: Regarding informational needs, significant differences are found in patients, with high informational needs and active information seeking for high monitors compared to low monitors and high and low blunters. Surprisingly, patient satisfaction was high in all groups, differences in knowledge and anxiety and depression were in line with previous studies. Preoperative anxiety and perceived control haven‟t been measured before with respect to coping style and were found to be respectively lower and higher in high blunters compared to low blunters. Conclusion: In addition to previously studied healthcare settings, also in the high threatening health situation of undergoing essential cancer surgery, individual differences in preoperative information needs are clear, which emphasizes the need of being sensitive to these differences in health care practice. Practice implications: Breast cancer patients might benefit from tailoring preoperative patient information to their cognitive coping style. The use of an animated web-application during the preoperative consultation seems promising in realizing educational improvements and adaption to patient differences. Moreover, information seeking in patients might be facilitated, by making this web-application accessible on the internet early in preoperative care.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:05 communication studies
Programme:Communication Studies MSc (60713)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/60455
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