Aim: This study aimed to explore the need and feasibility of Nurse-Led Telephone Follow-Up Care (NLTFC) from the perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in breast cancer care in India.
Method: A mixed-methods formative evaluation was conducted at a major healthcare facility in Punjab State, India. Participants, comprising HCPs from Oncology and General Surgery, were recruited using purposive sampling. For quantitative data, the target was 210 participants, however, only 112 were recruited due to increased workloads for HCPs post-COVID-19. For the qualitative component, 27 participants were recruited based on data saturation. Surveys and interviews were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, respectively.
Results: Three overarching themes emerged, supported by quantitative data: (1) Living with Breast Cancer; (2) Follow-Up Care; (3) Nurse-Led Model of Care. Physical and psychological consequences of diagnosis and treatment, along with societal factors such as cancer stigma and women’s position in a patriarchal society, were perceived to influence women’s experiences and quality of life (QoL). Shared care models within NLTFC were identified as a promising approach to improve follow-up care and address existing gaps. HCPs noted gaps in psychosocial care (65% of nurses and 69% of doctors) and concerns about treatment adherence (23% of nurses and 12% of doctors). Of note, HCPs expressed strong support for NLTFC, with 98% of nurses and 94% of doctors showing support for its implementation. While they voiced concern about the potential for important information being missed, the majority believed NLTFC would enhance patient confidence in communicating their needs to HCPs (97% of nurses and 88% of doctors). HCPs recommended specialised training and structured support for nurses.
Conclusions: Despite identified challenges, HCPs strongly support NLTFC, confirming its feasibility with proper training and support. The findings can inform the broader implementation of nurse-led models of care across Punjab and other Indian states.