Experiences of women after mastectomy: Rehabilitation nursing care in promoting autonomy

Abstract

Background: The woman with mastectomy experiences changes in functionality and at the emotional and social level. Rehabilitation nursing plays an important role in promoting autonomy and independence. Objectives: Describe the experiences of women with mastectomy at home and identify the importance attributed by women with mastectomy to the rehabilitation nursing intervention. Methodology: This study is based on a phenomenological qualitative approach. The snowball sam-pling technique was used to select the 9 participants. A semistructured interview was conducted. Results: The women experience physical complications and difficulty in performing tasks. They con-sider the rehabilitation nursing intervention as significant to recovering functionality and accepting body image. They report feelings like fear, outrage, and changes in interpersonal relationships. Conclusion: A rehabilitation nursing program adapted to each woman and the phase of the adapta-tion process she is in is fundamental to prevent complications and promote autonomy.