The Experience of Women Receiving Mastectomy Care in an Acute Surgical Ward: A Qualitative Study.
Celine Frost, Raewyn Lesā, Sandra Richardson
PMID 39375075WHAT IT FOUND
Ten women described the first 24 hours after mastectomy as emotionally overwhelming, not just physical.
They valued nurses who offered gradual, choice-based viewing of scars and respected their need for privacy, especially in mixed-gender rooms.
Key findings
01Women valued a gradual, two-phase approach to viewing their surgical scars, starting with looking down at the site before seeing a full-frontal view, to manage emotional shock.
02Participants felt vulnerable and exposed when sharing rooms with male patients, even when curtains were drawn, due to the intimate nature of breast surgery and audible discussions.
03Therapeutic care, defined as emotional presence and intuitive support, was distinguished from task-focused care; women appreciated nurses who chatted while working and recognized when to offer help versus independence.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Small sample size (10 women) limits generalizability. Self-selection recruitment may bias results toward women who were comfortable sharing experiences. Limited demographic variation; no participants identified as Māori, despite consultation with Māori representatives, so findings may not reflect the experiences of indigenous women in New Zealand. Prophylactic mastectomy and immediate reconstruction patients were excluded.
Declared interests
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that specific nursing interventions improve clinical outcomes. This is a qualitative study describing patient experiences and preferences, not a trial measuring efficacy. The recommendations are based on patient narratives, not tested interventions.