Support needs of brain tumour patients and their carers: the place of a telephone service

Abstract

Although the survival rate for many cancers has improved over the past two decades this has not happened for most patients with a primary malignant brain tumour. Numbers of patients diagnosed with this condition each year are small, and as expertise is often very limited, information, advice, and support can be difficult for patients and carers to access. The role of the appropriately trained nurse in meeting these needs has been well researched and published literature supports the development of such roles. The use of the telephone for providing information and support has become more common in recent years. The Regional Cancer Centre in the west of Scotland covers a wide geographical area and it was considered appropriate to initiate such a service for patients and their carers in that area to provide easier access to specialist knowledge and advice and subsequently improve continuity of care. This article discusses some of the support and informational needs of patients with brain tumours and their carers, which highlight reasons for introducing the telephone service in this cancer centre. The results of a 2-year audit of the service will be also be presented.