Effects of a Psychoeducational Intervention, Article Critique Example

The purpose of this study was to identify the rate of success of an intervention that was designed to determine its psychoeducational advantages on quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors participating in post-treatment survivorship. This information is identified in several areas of the study for further consideration. It has been determined that QOL indicators are a new and emerging topic for post-breast cancer survivors, but that they demonstrate a valuable approach to physical, emotional and psychologically concerns. The study indicates that the Breast Cancer Education Intervention (BCEI) is an appropriate method to use in order to improve QOL outcomes for breast cancer survivors.

The study, using a randomized controlled trial method, examined a population of 256 survivors of breast cancer using the BCEI, and each participant was assigned to one of two groups, the control group or experimental wait group. Study participants were selected based upon age (21 or older), stage of breast cancer (0-II), and no recurrence or metastases. Each patient had also received treatment at least one month prior to the study. The study was conducted in the Southeastern United States in an academic medical center setting, working in conjunction with a comprehensive cancer center. The study explored BCEI principles in three different in-person sessions, accompanied by five additional sessions, either in person or by telephone. The control group received additional phone calls. The study variables were QOL in the context of social, physical, and spiritual wellness, and it was determined that those in their first year after breast cancer had experienced positive effects as a result of the BCEI program.

Based upon the study results, it was determined that oncology nurses may benefit from BCEI program implementation in their healthcare organizations in providing effective care and support for post-breast cancer patients. The literature review is consistent with the objectives of the study and the BCEI strategy in improving QOL for post-breast cancer survivors. There have been a variety of interventions to address interventions during breast cancer treatment, including telephone support and in-person counseling. Several intervention studies were described in the literature that emphasized the relevance of QOL from a multidisciplinary perspective. The conceptual framework for the study was QOL in the context of the BCEI, accompanied by physical, social, psychological, and spiritual needs. The study indicates that QOL is a dynamic process, which requires ongoing review and consideration.

The study results indicate the effectiveness of BCEI in providing additional support for patients during post-breast cancer survivorship, and that those nurses with sufficient education and experience are likely to be strong candidates for continuing research in this area. Patient educational interventions are relevant in shaping the outcomes for post-breast cancer survivors, and that BCEI programs may be particularly useful in shaping these outcomes in positive ways. Additional research is required in this area in order to identify ways in which the QOL determinants are most impacted by the BCEI strategy. These efforts are influential in shaping the manner in which post-breast cancer survivors are supported from an individual perspective after their clinical treatment has subsided, because the effects of the cancer continue to prevail in their lives, as well as the lives of oncology nurse specialists that provide treatment for these patients on a regular basis.

Works Cited: 

Meneses, K.D., McNees, P., Loerzel, V.W., Su, X., Zhang, Y., and Hassey, L.A. (2007). Transition From Treatment to Survivorship:  Effects of a Psychoeducational Intervention on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors. Oncology Nursing Forum, 34(5): 1016.