Grants We Funded

Abstract
Numerous studies in other surgical disciplines have demonstrated that the most important predictor of patient satisfaction is patients' preoperative expectations. Thus, in order to maximize patient satisfaction with postmastectomy breast reconstruction. Surgeons must be able to improve patients' understanding of what may realistically be expected from surgery. Existing educational tools for breast reconstruction patients focus on reconstructive techniques and potential complications, but do not typically address patients' expectations. By focusing on concerns that are important to the surgeon, current teaching fails to address those issues that are most significant to the patient. For example, unilateral implant reconstruction patients may be disconcerted to discover that breast symmetry may only be achieved when wearing a bra. Similarly, a patient may look forward to nipple reconstruction without realizing that sensation will not be restored. On the other hand, educational materials and teaching modules that respond to patient-derived expectations can uncover problems that have been overlooked or considered irrelevant by the surgeon. Thus, educational programs must instead address patient-derived expectations and include issues that are important to both breast reconstruction patients and their surgeons. The objective of this project is thus to: 1. Develop an interactive, web-based, multimedia educational program to address patient expectations about breast reconstruction; and, 2. Pilot the interactive program on a representative sample of preoperative breast reconstruction patients to clarify ambiguities and ensure acceptability. Future NCI grant funding will be sought to formally evaluate the program's efficacy in addressing patient expectations and, ultimately, improving patient satisfaction with postmastectomy reconstruction.