Experiences of Nurses Caring for Patients with Breasts Cancer in the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The nurse plays a key role in the Breast Cancer (BC) care continuum to provide quality care to patients and family. This study aims to explore the experiences of nurses caring for patients with BC at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra. The study employed a qualitative descriptive design which was guided by the Theory of Planned Behaviour by Ajzen, (1991). Thirteen (13) participants from the radiotherapy department and the adult surgical ward were purposively recruited. A semi structured interview guide was used to elicit information from the participants. The audio recorded data was transcribed verbatim and analysed manually using thematic content analysis procedure. Four main themes were generated using thematic content analysis approach. These were nurses’ knowledge on BC care, attitude of nurses’ towards BC care, subjective norms of nurses’ towards BC care and perceived behavioural control of nurses’ towards BC care. The study revealed inadequate knowledge on non-pharmarcological pain management of patients with BC. Positive attitude exhibited by the nurses included comforting patient and paying patient’s bills. However, nurses expressed negative attitude like giving placebo for pain management and avoiding wound dressing assignment. Also, nurses practiced favouritsm during job assignment. The study also identified factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of logistics and staffs, lack of time, and increased workload was associated with BC care. The study concluded that nurses should be knowledgeable in cancer pain management, wound dressing, and promote organizational work climate that can meet the needs of patients with BC.