Evaluation of a one-stop breast lump clinic: A randomized controlled trial

Ambler, N.; Cawthorn, S. J.; Rumsey, Nichola; Harcourt, D.

Abstract

This randomized controlled trial compared the impact on patients (n = 791) of a one-stop clinic providing same-day diagnosis with a conventional system involving two appointments and a delay before results are available. Semi-structured interviews at first clinic attendance and postal questionnaires completed 6 days and 8 weeks later assessed psychological reactions. Six days after first clinic attendance the one-stop group showed significantly lower levels of anxiety (P < 0.05). However, the sub-group who had breast cancer had become more distressed in both groups, more so in the one-stop group. Eight weeks later, women receiving a speedier diagnosis of cancer reported higher levels of depression than women given this diagnosis in the two-stop system (P < 0.05). Same-day diagnosis appears to reduce psychological distress for the 90% of clinic attenders diagnosed with a benign lump. Nevertheless, it may have a detrimental effect on women diagnosed with cancer. The psychological care of these women needs particular consideration as the availability of same-day diagnosis increases.

Citation

Cawthorn, S. J., Ambler, N., Harcourt, D., & Rumsey, N. (1998). Evaluation of a one-stop breast lump clinic: A randomized controlled trial. Breast, 7(6), 314-319. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9776%2898%2990073-X

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 1998
• Journal: Breast
• Print ISSN: 0960-9776
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 314-319
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9776%2898%2990073-X
• Keywords: breast lump clinics, randomized controlled trial, body image, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1101195
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9776(98)90073-X