Decision-making for bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy for an increased lifetime breast cancer risk: A qualitative metasynthesis.

OBJECTIVE: Previvor is a term applied to a person with an identified, elevated lifetime cancer risk but without an actual cancer diagnosis. Previvorship entails the selection of risk management strategies. For women with a genetic mutation that increases their predisposition for a breast cancer diagnosis, bilateral risk-reducing mastectomy (BRRM) is the most effective prevention strategy. However, BRRM can change a woman's breast appearance and function. The purpose of this qualitative metasynthesis (QMS) was to better understand the decision-making process for BRRM among previvors. METHODS: A theory-generating QMS approach was used to analyze and synthesize qualitative findings. Research reports were considered for inclusion if: (1) women over 18 years of age possessed a genetic mutation increasing lifetime breast cancer risk or a strong family history of breast cancer; (2) the sample was considering, or had completed, BRRM; (3) the results reported qualitative findings. Exclusion criteria were male gender, personal history of breast cancer, and research reports which did not separate findings based on cancer diagnosis and/or risk-reduction surgery. RESULTS: A theory and corresponding model emerged, comprised of seven themes addressing the decision-making process for or against BRRM. While some factors to decision-making were decisive for surgery, others were more indefinite and contributed to women changing, processing, or suspending their decision-making for a period of time. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the decision previvors make about BRRM, physical and psychosocial well-being should be considered and promoted through shared decision-making in the clinical setting.

A Qualitative Exploration of Perinatal Opioid Users' Pain-Related Experiences.

BACKGROUND: Many pregnant and postpartum individuals who misuse prescription opioids report either physical or psychological pain. The pain-related factors underlying perinatal opioid misuse are poorly understood. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the pain-related experiences of individuals with histories of perinatal prescription opioid misuse. DESIGN: This study used a qualitative descriptive design. METHODS: Between October 2021 and July 2022, a convenience sample of 12 childbearing-aged females with histories of perinatal opioid misuse were recruited and individually interviewed about their pain-related experiences. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and manually coded using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twelve participants consented to participate and provided 14 interviews. Three major themes emerged to highlight participant's experiences with pain and misuse of prescription opioids: 1) pain sources, 2) impact of pain, and 3) pain management. CONCLUSIONS: Participants indicated in their interviews their childhood and adult trauma experiences created risk of initiating misuse prior to pregnancy and continued prescription opioid misuse perinatally. Both psychological and physical pain experiences were stated by participants as frequently undertreated. Participants perceived undertreatment of both types of pain influenced decisions to self-manage with prescription opioid and illegal substances of abuse. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: The participants' shared experiences provide insights for targeted pain-related nursing interventions that could help reduce the initiation and perpetuation of misuse and assist the journey to recovery.

It's Not Always Easy: Cancer Survivorship Care in Primary Care Settings.

By 2040, an anticipated 26.1 million people with a history of cancer will be part of the healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to explore Missouri-based non-oncology clinicians' perspectives on caring for patients with a history of cancer to identify needs of rural-based clinicians to optimize their patients' survivorship care. Using an interpretive qualitative descriptive approach, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 17 non-oncology clinicians. We encouraged clinicians to discuss their approach to caring for patients with a history of cancer and invited them to talk about what might help them increase their knowledge of survivorship care best practices. Through interpretive qualitative descriptive analysis methods including first level coding and constant comparison, we found there is consensus that cancer survivorship care is important; however, training that now guides our clinicians occurred mostly during residency, if at all. Clinicians relied on previous patient encounters and oncology notes combined with their patients' personal account of treatment history to inform the best next steps. Clinicians expressed strong interest in having a simple protocol of their patient's treatment with prompts of known long-term cancer treatment-related effects and a patient-centric follow-up monitoring schedule (mandatory vs recommended vs optional). Clinicians expressed interest in educational opportunities about cancer care and ability for curbside consults with oncologists. They consistently noted the limited resources available in rural areas and that rural patients may have different preferences and approaches to cancer survivorship. There is a clear opportunity to improve non-oncology clinicians' knowledge of the needs of people with a history of cancer as well as their own knowledge base and self-efficacy, especially in rural settings.

Breast cancer survivorship in rural settings: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Rural breast cancer survivors (BCS) in the United States face unique challenges during survivorship, related to knowledge and accessibility of resources. Survivorship care plans should address five key areas that include surveillance and screening for new/reoccurring cancer; management of long-term effects of cancer treatment; health promotion; and care coordination/practice implications. To maximize the benefit of survivorship care for rural BCS, it is necessary to better understand their experiences and preferences. METHODS: A systematic review of the extant literature addressing the survivorship needs and interventions for rural BCS was conducted. The following databases were searched for reports published between January, 2007, and December, 2018: PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, PsycINFO (EBSCO), CAB Direct, and Sociological Abstracts. Reports published after 2007 with samples including and comprised of rural BCS in the United States were included. Screening of the search results followed PRISMA guidelines using Covidence systematic review software. RESULTS: Findings were extracted from 30 reports disseminating findings of 14 research studies. The five areas of a survivorship care were counted/accounted for during data extraction. The included reports concentrated on health promotion (e.g., weight loss and exercise) and the management of long-term effects of cancer treatment as key outcomes. There is a gap in the literature addressing care coordination, surveillance, and screening. CONCLUSION: Additional research including interventions for rural BCS that address more survivorship care areas would benefit this population and improve survivorship quality of life for rural BCS.

A qualitative study describing nursing home nurses sensemaking to detect medication order discrepancies.

BACKGROUND: Medication reconciliation is a safety practice to identify medication order discrepancies when patients' transitions between settings. In nursing homes, registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), each group with different education preparation and scope of practice responsibilities, perform medication reconciliation. However, little is known about how they differ in practice when making sense of medication orders to detect discrepancies. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to describe differences in RN and LPN sensemaking when detecting discrepancies. METHOD: We used a qualitative methodology in a study of 13 RNs and 13 LPNs working in 12 Midwestern United States nursing homes. We used both conventional content analysis and directed content analysis methods to analyze semi-structured interviews. Four resident transfer vignettes embedded with medication order discrepancies guided the interviews. Participants were asked to describe their roles with medication reconciliation and their rationale for identifying medication order discrepancies within the vignettes as well as to share their experiences of performing medication reconciliation. The analysis approach was guided by Weick's Sensemaking theory. RESULTS: RNs provided explicit stories of identifying medication order discrepancies as well as examples of clinical reasoning to assure medication order appropriateness whereas LPNs described comparing medication lists. RNs and LPNs both acknowledged competing demands, but when performing medication reconciliation, RNs were more concerned about accuracy and safety, whereas LPNs were more concerned about time. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing home nurses, particularly RNs, are in an important position to identify discrepancies that could cause resident harm. Both RNs and LPNs are valuable assets to nursing home care and keeping residents safe, yet RNs offer a unique contribution to complex processes such as medication reconciliation. Nursing home leaders must acknowledge the differences in RN and LPN contributions and make certain nurses in the most qualified role are assigned to ensure residents remain safe.

A usability evaluation exploring the design of American Nurses Association state web sites.

National leaders are calling for opportunities to facilitate the Future of Nursing. Opportunities can be encouraged through state nurses association Web sites, which are part of the American Nurses Association, that are well designed, with appropriate content, and in a language professional nurses understand. The American Nurses Association and constituent state nurses associations provide information about nursing practice, ethics, credentialing, and health on Web sites. We conducted usability evaluations to determine compliance with heuristic and ethical principles for Web site design. We purposefully sampled 27 nursing association Web sites and used 68 heuristic and ethical criteria to perform systematic usability assessments of nurse association Web sites. Web site analysis included seven double experts who were all RNs trained in usability analysis. The extent to which heuristic and ethical criteria were met ranged widely from one state that met 0% of the criteria for "help and documentation" to states that met greater than 92% of criteria for "visibility of system status" and "aesthetic and minimalist design." Suggested improvements are simple yet make an impact on a first-time visitor's impression of the Web site. For example, adding internal navigation and tracking features and providing more details about the application process through help and frequently asked question documentation would facilitate better use. Improved usability will improve effectiveness, efficiency, and consumer satisfaction with these Web sites.

Stigma Experienced by Perinatal Women with Opioid Dependency in the United States: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

Stigma is a barrier to accessing care and treatment for perinatal women with pain and opioid dependency, resulting in increased maternal/neonatal morbidity and mortality, prolonged neonatal hospitalizations, and increased healthcare-related costs. This theory-generating qualitative meta-synthesis includes 18 qualitative research reports and describes the stigma-related experiences of perinatal women with opioid dependency. A model emerged consisting of cyclical yet pivotal care points, facilitators/deterrents of stigma, and stigma experiences including infant-associative stigma. Findings of this qualitative meta-synthesis include the following: (a) Perinatal stigma experiences may prevent women from accessing care; (b) Infant-associative stigma may influence the woman to deflect stigma from her infant onto herself; and (c) There is the risk of mothers withdrawing their infants from healthcare to protect from future anticipated stigma. Implications reveal ideal time points to enact healthcare interventions to reduce perinatal stigma experiences and its consequences on maternal/child health and wellness.

Understanding advanced practice registered nurse perspectives on providing care to people with a history of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: People with a history of breast cancer (PHBC) face a lifelong risk of treatment-related sequelae affecting their quality of life. Stakeholders advocate for improving breast cancer survivorship outcomes by increasing clinicians' knowledge of cancer survivorship issues. In Missouri, advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) in nononcology settings provide routine survivorship care to PHBC; however, little is known about how they approach survivorship care planning for PHBC. PURPOSE: Examine perspectives of Missouri APRNs practicing in nononcology settings about providing survivorship care to PHBC. METHODS: A combination of grounded theory and thematic analysis techniques was used for focus groups and semistructured interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory coding methods. RESULTS: Nineteen nononcology Missouri-based APRNs (18 NPs, 1 CNS/DNP) shared their perspectives about managing care for PHBC. We identified four major themes. Our participants (1) attuned their baseline assessment techniques to a history of breast cancer; (2) were prepared to order additional evaluations; (3) were willing to proactively figure out next best steps for PHBC beyond theneed for breast cancer recurrence surveillance; and (4) suggest that streamlining cancer survivorship care resources would benefit both clinicians and PHBC. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings shed light on how APRNs approach care planning for PHBC and the needs of nononcology APRNs for managing PHBC. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Advanced practice registered nurses are well-positioned to improve cancer survivorship care. Increasing knowledge of cancer survivorship care guidelines could improve long-term health outcomes of PHBC. Access to cancer survivorship resources or experts via telehealth/technology for both APRNs and patients could improve survivorship care and overall health of PHBC.

The Work of Breastfeeding Among Women of Low Socioeconomic Status: A Qualitative Metasynthesis.

A theory-generating qualitative metasynthesis was used to explore the questions: (a) How do mothers of low socioeconomic status in the United States express their attitudes and beliefs on breastfeeding? (b) How do mothers of low socioeconomic status in the United States describe the types of support received related to breastfeeding? Databases were searched from January 2000 to June 2022. Eleven qualitative studies were evaluated, and six themes were identified. A model was developed illustrating how the themes impact a mother's decision to breastfeed. Positive factors included shared narratives, knowledge of breastfeeding physiology, and social network. However, more negative influences were heard such as opinions passed on from family and friends, lack of teaching and anticipatory guidance, limited support and follow up, and the perception of conflicting messages from health care professionals. This model identifies constructs that can be used as starting points for interventions, policy development and/or health promotion education.

Designing home-based physical activity programs for rural cancer survivors: A survey of technology access and preferences.

Background: While technology advances have increased the popularity of remote interventions in underserved and rural cancer communities, less is understood about technology access and preferences for home-based physical activity programs in this cancer survivor population. Purpose: To determine access, preferences, and needs, for a home-based physical activity program in rural cancer survivors. Methods: A Qualtrics Research Panel was recruited to survey adults with cancer across the United States. Participants self-reported demographics, cancer characteristics, technology access and usage, and preferences for a home-based physical activity program. The Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ) assessed current levels of physical activity. Descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations for continuous variables, and frequencies for categorical variables. Independent samples t-tests explored differences between rural and non-rural participants. Results: Participants (N=298; mean age=55.2 ± 16.5) had a history of cancer (mean age at diagnosis=46.5), with the most commonly reported cancer type being breast (25.5%), followed by prostate (16.1%). 74.2% resided in rural hometowns. 95% of participants reported accessing the internet daily. On a scale of 0-100, computer/laptop (M=63.4) and mobile phone (M=54.6) were the most preferred delivery modes for a home-based physical activity intervention, and most participants preferred balance/flexibility (72.2%) and aerobic (53.9%) exercises. Desired intervention elements included a frequency of 2-3 times a week (53.5%) for at least 20 minutes (75.7%). While there were notable rural disparities present (e.g., older age at diagnosis, lower levels of education; ps<.001), no differences emerged for technology access or environmental barriers (ps>.08). However, bias due to electronic delivery of the survey should not be discounted. Conclusion: These findings provide insights into the preferred physical activity intervention (e.g., computer delivery, balance/flexibility exercises) in rural cancer survivors, while highlighting the need for personalization. Future efforts should consider these preferences when designing and delivering home-based interventions in this population.

A Multiple Case Study of Latina Breast Cancer Survivors Returning to Work With Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema: Adaptation, Resilience, and Quality of Life.

Introduction: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL), a side effect of cancer treatment, may negatively impact the ability to perform work. Factors such as delayed diagnosis, late-stage disease, and a high percentage of service occupations may challenge work choices for Latinas after BCRL diagnosis. Methods: Our multiple case study explored work experiences and quality of life (QOL) for Hispanic/Latina survivors. Participants completed demographic and short form-36 (SF-36) surveys. Semi-structured interviews focused on how work environment, self-management, and QOL were influenced by BCRL. Thematic analysis of cases used In Vivo and descriptive coding and constant cross-case comparative methods. Results: Analysis illustrated how Hispanic/Latina survivors perceive the influence of BCRL on work experience as requiring adaptation and personal resilience. Participants identified BCRL knowledge gap challenges and described coping with physical, psychosocial, and work activity changes. They described creative work adaptations and discussed BCRL's impact on both positive and negative interpersonal perceptions. Strong support from family, friends, and colleagues contributed to improved QOL and continued work activities. Conclusion: Future research should incorporate coping strategies and creative management of BCRL to optimize work activities across the lifespan. These strategies can provide guidance for the creation of survivorship care plans, education of healthcare professionals (HCPs), and lifelong occupational support.

Digital Methodology for Mobile Clinical Decision Support Development in Long-Term Care.

The global COVID-19 pandemic has driven innovations in methods to sustain initiatives for the design, development, evaluation, and implementation of clinical support technology in long-term care settings while removing risk of infection for residents, family members, health care workers, researchers and technical professionals. We adapted traditional design and evaluation methodology for a mobile clinical decision support app - designated Mobile Application Information System for Integrated Evidence ("MAISIE") - to a completely digital design methodology that removes in-person contacts between the research team, developer, and nursing home staff and residents. We have successfully maintained project continuity for MAISIE app development with only minor challenges while working remotely. This digital design methodology can be implemented in projects where software can be installed without in-person technical support and remote work is feasible. Team skills, experience, and relationships are key considerations for adapting to digital environments and maintaining project momentum.

Breast cancer-related lymphedema and quality of life: A qualitative analysis over years of survivorship.

OBJECTIVES: The study purpose was to examine perspectives of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) regarding their quality of life over seven years. METHOD: Data were collected over seven years using the Lymphedema and Breast Cancer Questionnaire (LBCQ). Participants with BCRL answered open-ended questions corresponding to changes in mood and lifestyle from post-op through annual interviews and surveys. Self-reported data from 97 participants with BCRL were analyzed using in vivo coding and template-style content analysis to elicit the impact of BCRL on quality of life domains. RESULTS: Data saturation was achieved as participants neared 30 to 36 months post- breast cancer diagnosis. Three major themes were identified related to BCRL's impact on: physical function; daily living and social function; and psychological function. DISCUSSION: Findings suggest that BCRL impacts quality of life not only soon after diagnosis, but also throughout survivorship years. Healthcare providers should develop programs to enhance quality of life for survivors with BCRL.

The impact of breast cancer-related lymphedema on rural and small-town Survivors' return-to-work and quality of life: A multiple-case study.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a lifelong condition. Millions who develop breast cancer are younger than retirement age and at a lifetime risk for developing BCRL. Rural and small-town survivors may face unique challenges in terms of access to health care and BCRL/survivorship resources. This multiple-case study describes how BCRL influences the work experiences and quality of life (QoL) of survivors living in rural and small towns in Missouri. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Thirteen survivors from rural and small towns in Missouri completed semi-structured interviews and a standardized QoL instrument. Cases were analyzed using in-vivo and open-coding techniques and constant cross-case comparative methods. Twelve of the 13 participants' data are synthesized into themes to represent an illustrative case. The 13th case is presented as a contradictory (rival) case. RESULTS: Four themes are represented within the illustrative case - multiple medical encounters; the development of self-care routines; the reciprocity of work/live activities, triggers, and adjustments; and rural/small-town cultural impact. Upon BCRL diagnosis, survivors received intensive treatments, eventually establishing self-care routines. Survivors identified strategies for working around their BCRL when completing work and home responsibilities. The contradictory (rival) case was more recently diagnosed and, as such, had not established self-care and coping mechanisms in the same way. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Survivors alleviate BCRL symptoms and improve their QoL by establishing self-care strategies. This provides guidance for client-centered survivorship care-planning and occupational rehabilitation of rural survivors with BCRL. This study provides the foundation for developing information for rural survivors that supports mental preparation and coping skills for BCRL self-management.

ONS Guidelines™ for Opioid-Induced and Non-Opioid-Related Cancer Constipation.

PURPOSE: This evidence-based guideline intends to support clinicians, patients, and others in decisions regarding the treatment of constipation in patients with cancer. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: An interprofessional panel of healthcare professionals with patient representation prioritized clinical questions and patient outcomes for the management of cancer-related constipation. Systematic reviews of the literature were conducted. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to assess the evidence and make recommendations. FINDINGS: The panel agreed on 13 recommendations for the management of opioid-induced and non-opioid-related constipation in patients with cancer. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The panel conditionally recommended a bowel regimen in addition to lifestyle education as first-line treatment for constipation. For patients starting opioids, the panel suggests a bowel regimen as prophylaxis. Pharmaceutical interventions are available and recommended if a bowel regimen has failed. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture for non-opioid-related constipation are recommended in the context of a clinical trial. SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND AT&NBSP;HTTPS: //bit.ly/30y29sI.

Prospective Surveillance and Risk Reduction of Cancer Treatment-Related Lymphedema: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: Secondary lymphedema is a chronic condition that may result from cancer-related treatments. Evidence is emerging on prospective surveillance and risk reduction. LITERATURE SEARCH: Databases were systematically searched through April 1, 2019, for comparative studies evaluating interventions aiming to prevent lymphedema in patients with cancer. DATA EVALUATION: A random-effects model was used to perform meta-analysis, when appropriate. SYNTHESIS: A total of 26 studies (4,095 patients) were included, with 23 providing data sufficient for meta-analysis. Surveillance programs increased the likelihood of detecting lymphedema. Physiotherapy, exercise programs, and delayed exercise reduced the incidence of lymphedema. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Future research should standardize (a) evidence-based interventions to reduce the development of lymphedema and increase the likelihood of early detection and (b) outcome measures to build a body of evidence that leads to practice change. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND AT&NBSP;HTTPS: //onf.ons.org/supplementary-material-systematic-review-cancer-treatment-related-lymphedema.

Conservative Intervention Strategies for Adult Cancer-Related Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: The comparative effectiveness of available management options for cancer-related secondary lymphedema is unknown. LITERATURE SEARCH: CINAHL®, Embase®, and MEDLINE® were searched for randomized trials comparing conservative treatment strategies. DATA EVALUATION: A network meta-analysis was conducted for lymphedema volume, along with pairwise meta-analyses for remaining outcomes. Evidence certainty was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation) approach. SYNTHESIS: Overall, 36 studies with a total of 1,651 participants were included. Compared to standard care, conservative treatments did not significantly reduce lymphedema volume. There was low to very low certainty evidence of benefit for several treatments on secondary outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: There is insufficient evidence to suggest important differences between standard care and conservative treatment strategies for reducing lymphedema volume and improving lymphedema-related symptoms. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND AT&NBSP;HTTPS: //onf.ons.org/supplementary-material-conservative-intervention-strategies-adult-cancer-related-lymphedema.

Patient Safety Communication Among Differently Educated Nurses: Converging and Diverging Meaning Systems.

Studies that suggest an increased number of bachelor's prepared nurses (BSNs) at the bedside improves patient safety do not stratify their samples into traditional bachelor's and associates (ADN) to BSN graduates. This qualitative study investigated potential differences in patient safety meaning among BSNs and ADN to BSN graduates. Guided by the theory of Language Convergence/Meaning Divergence, interview data from eight BSN and eight ADN to BSN graduates were analyzed. Findings indicate there are two meaning levels or systems, the local level and the systemic level. At the local level, the meaning of patient safety is focused at the patient's bedside and regulated by the nurse. The systemic level included the notion that health system factors such as policies and staffing are paramount to keeping patients safe. More frequently, ADN to BSN graduates' meaning of patient safety was at the local level, while BSNs' meaning centered at the systemic level.

Body mass index trends and quality of life from breast cancer diagnosis through seven years' survivorship.

BACKGROUND: Weight gain is a potential negative outcome of breast-cancer treatment, occurring in 50%-to-96% of breast-cancer patients, although the amount of weight gain is inconsistently reported in the literature. Research has also shown a relationship between overweight/obesity and breast-cancer mortality. Correspondingly, weight management is a self-care approach known to benefit quality of life (QOL). These research questions and analysis add to existing literature by examining participants' body mass index (BMI) trend and its relationship with QOL indicators over seven years. AIM: To examine: (1) BMI trends among breast cancer survivors; and (2) The trends' relationship to QOL indicators over seven years. METHODS: During the Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Project, 378 patients' weight and height were recorded by nurses prior to or just after beginning breast cancer treatment and repeated at quarterly-to-semiannual intervals over seven years. Additionally, participants annually completed the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a valid and reliable tool assessing QOL and health concepts, including physical function, pain, and emotional well-being. BMI trends, change in BMI, and change in SF-36 subscales over seven years were calculated using a random-intercept repeated-measures regression. Patients were placed into BMI categories at each time point: Normal, Overweight and Obese. As patients' weights changed, they were categorized accordingly. RESULTS: During the seven-year study and while controlling for age and residence, participants gained an average of 0.3534 kg/m2 (P = 0.0009). This amount remained fairly consistent across BMI categories with those in the normal-weight category (n = 134) gaining 0.4546 kg/m2 (P = 0.0003); Overweight (n = 190) gaining 0.2985 kg/m2 (P = 0.0123); and obese (n = 199) gaining 0.3147 kg/m2, (P = 0.0649). Age (under or over 55) and region (metro/micro vs small/rural) were significantly associated with BMI increase in both the normal and obese categories. There were statistically significant (P < 0.0100) changes in five of the eight SF-36 domains; however, the directions of change were different and somewhat divergent from that hypothesized. Controlling for age and region, these five were statistically significant, so there were no change or differences between the micropolitan/metropolitan and small town/rural groups. CONCLUSION: Although only modest increases in mean BMI were observed, mean BMI change was associated with selected QOL indicators, suggesting the continued need for self-care emphasis during breast cancer survivorship.

Lymphoedema therapists: a national and international survey.

The American Lymphedema Framework Project (AFLP) surveyed lymphoedema therapists in the US in 2009 to describe their preparation, patient population and care practices. In the autumn of 2018, the survey was expanded to trained therapists worldwide to describe and compare current and past therapist characteristics and practices. The updated 2009 survey was distributed via Qualtrics to US and international therapists. The current analysis includes over 950 completed surveys. Preliminary results showed: country: US (n=672/922 [73%]); Canada (n=92[10%]); United Kingdom (n=42[5%]); Australia (n=28[3%]); gender: identifying as female (n=633/676 [93%]); mean age: 47yrs (range 21-76); discipline: physical therapist [45%], occupational therapist [31%], massage therapist [24%]); mean practice years: 10.7yrs (range 0-41); and practice setting: hospital out-patient clinic (47%); private practice (38%); hospital in-patient (13%); home care/hospice (9%). Further 2009-2018 comparative analyses will be shared. Understanding characteristics and practices of lymphoedema therapists and patients will help stakeholders meet under- and unmet needs of this population.