The ghosts of survivorship: Can Macmillans eHNA be used to capture the psychological concerns of breast cancer survivors and assist with prevention

The student researcher is currently undertaking an empirical study collecting qualitative data on the experiences and coping mechanisms of breast cancer survivors and views of the eHNA, which will provide a foundation for this study. The aim of the proposed PhD study is to produce a framework for healthcare professionals, allowing for better integration between assessment of concerns and subsequent actions addressing the psychological aspects of recovery from cancer. Key objectives include:
To determine whether the eHNA rating scale and care plan provide a valuable tool for guiding care and referral onto mental health services.
To determine barriers to healthcare professionals' action during the assessment process.
To understand individual experiences of key psychological issues and staff understanding of these.
To produce a framework that will better integrate assessment and action towards prevention, treatment and recovery. This will also provide a structured pathway that bridges the gap between acute, community and specialist care services.