Optimizing Patient-Centered Care in Breast Reconstruction: The Importance of Preoperative Information and Patient-Physician Communication

Background: In breast reconstruction, achieving patient satisfaction is a central goal. While much is known about clinical variables that may influence satisfaction, little is known about how the process of care may affect patient perceptions of outcome. The aim of this study was to examine how preoperative information and interactions with the surgical and medical teams might influence patient satisfaction with the outcome. Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study design was used. The BREAST-Q (breast reconstruction module) was administered in a postal survey to a cohort of breast reconstruction patients in North America. The association between patient satisfaction with the process of care and satisfaction with the outcome of breast reconstruction was evaluated using linear regression. Multivariate regression models were constructed to control for confounders and to identify predictors of outcome. Results: The study sample (n = 510; response rate, 66 percent) was characterized by a mean age of 54.3 +/- 9.3 years (range, 21.0 to 81.0 years) and a mean body mass index of 25.2 +/- 4.3 (range, 16.3 to 48.9). On multivariate analysis, satisfaction with information and satisfaction with the plastic surgeon predicted higher satisfaction with breasts (information, p < 0.001; plastic surgeon, p = 0.003; R-2 = 0.29) and higher satisfaction with overall outcome (satisfaction with information, p < 0.001; satisfaction with plastic surgeon, p < 0.001; R-2 = 0.31). Conclusions: Patient-centered care is an important aspect of quality of care. Patients' levels of satisfaction with preoperative information and their interaction with their plastic surgeon significantly influence satisfaction with their breasts and overall outcome. Future research to develop methods to enhance information delivery and the surgeon-patient relationship may optimize outcomes in breast reconstruction patients.