Comparing hospital and telephone follow-up after treatment for breast cancer: randomised equivalence trial

This nurse-led study recruited 374 women treated for breast cancer, who were assessed as low to moderate risk of recurrence. The results showed that the women in the telephone group were no more anxious, because of foregoing clinic examinations and face-to-face consultations and reported higher levels of satisfaction than those attending hospital clinics (intention to treat P<0.001). Telephone follow-up was well received by participants, with no physical or psychological disadvantage. The authors suggest that this method may be a suitable and complementary option of support for women at low to moderate risk of recurrence and those with long travelling distances or mobility problems.