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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 49(2)

A review of patient-centred measures in breast cancer care and impact on care efficiency

Elizabeth Wei Tan https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1044-082X A * and Christobel Mary Saunders A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, Vic Australia.

* Correspondence to: etan6193@gmail.com

Australian Health Review 49, AH24329 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24329
Submitted: 2 December 2024  Accepted: 24 January 2025  Published: 18 February 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Australian women, with rising prevalence and costs. Inefficient care leads to poorer outcomes and strains healthcare systems. This review explores the association between breast cancer management strategies and efficiency in delivering care.

Methods

An exploratory single database review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-P) guidelines was conducted by searching MEDLINE for studies on patient-centred care, efficiency, and breast cancer published 2014–present. Data extraction and synthesis followed PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) Checklist.

Results

Eleven studies were included (one systematic review, one randomised control trial (RCT), four comparative studies, three observational studies, one budget analysis, and one protocol). Seven studies found a positive association between patient-centred care and efficiency; six showed statistical significance. These included reduced diagnostic delays (n = 3), improved shared decision-making with decision aids (n = 3), need to address ethnic/socioeconomic status disparities (n = 2), and survivorship interventions/experience (n = 3).

Conclusion

This is the first review analysing multiple strategies to improve delivery of care, demonstrating improved efficiency throughout the treatment journey in breast cancer by using patient-centred care. Further implementation studies are needed to understand how to optimise outcomes and healthcare sustainability.

Keywords: breast cancer, cancer care, cancer care efficiency, care efficiency, health economics, health service management, hospital costs, patient-centred care.

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