Impact of Multidisciplinary Care Including Patient Leaders for Breast Cancer Approach in Nicaragua

Over time, more research has shown that using a multidisciplinary approach helps improve the complex care of cancer patients. It also assessed the usefulness of patient involvement in a leading role that recognizes patients as protagonists within the framework of person- and family-centered care. Peer support groups have been demonstrated to mitigate the psychological impact of breast cancer diagnosis. Materials and Methods A descriptive, retrospective observational study was conducted. The group " Breast Unit" was created, integrating multidisciplinary healthcare teams and incorporating 122 patients who provided feedback to the organization as psychological, emotional, and educational support to women with breast cancer. A total of 93 patients from the support group responded to an interview about their experience. 466 patients over three years were analyzed to assess the impact in early-stage breast cancer detection. Results The multidisciplinary healthcare team improved care workflows and was strengthened at both strategic and operational levels. The response time to patients’ concerns was 67% within the first 5 minutes. The PROM indicator for the percentage of early-stage breast cancer improved from 67% to 76%. Patients in the support group reported no diagnosis of depression in the past three years. Conclusions Multidisciplinary work, when combined with patient contributions and peer support improves care flows, timely treatment, and outcomes for patients. It strengthens the person-centered culture, impacting on a personal and organizational level. They have a key role in education, leadership, and providing feedback to medical teams for quality improvement.