Aim\nTo explore the role of the Australian breast care nurse in the provision of information\nand support to women with breast cancer, with a focus on the differences\nexperienced depending on geographic work context.\nDesign\nA cross-sectional study.\nMethods\nThis study conducted in 2013, involved surveying BCNs currently working in\nAustralia, using a newly developed self-report online survey.\nResults\nFifty breast care nurses completed the survey, 40% from major cities, 42% from\ninner regional Australia and 18% from outer regional, remote and very remote\nAustralia. Patterns of service indicated higher caseloads in urban areas, with\nfewer kilometres served. Breast care nurses in outer regional, remote and very\nremote areas were less likely to work in multi-disciplinary teams and more\nlikely to spend longer consulting with patients. Breast care nurses reported they\nundertook roles matching the competency standards related to the provision of\neducation, information and support; however, there were barriers to fulfilling\ncompetencies including knowledge based limitations, time constraints and\nservicing large geographical areas.\nConclusions\nThis was the first Australian study to describe the role of the breast care nurse\nnationally and the first study to investigate breast care nurses perceived ability\nto meet a selection of the Australian Specialist Breast Nurse Competency Standards.\nImportant differences were found according to the geographical location\nof breast care nurses.
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