Allegheny General Hospital

Patients are referred to the Breast Care Center at Allegheny General Hospital soon after biopsy results indicate breast cancer. The two staff members dedicated to the center’s Informed Decision Making Program, Manager Harriet Gudenburr and Staff Nurse Marianne Jeffries, contact the women by phone, answering questions and offering phone support prior to the initial consultation with the breast surgeons. They send one or more shared decision-making DVDs to the patients for home viewing. If time is short, patients can view the DVDs at the Cancer Center.

Harriet and Marianne meet patients just prior to the appointment with their surgeons, helping to personalize the visit and “put a face with a name.” They also record patients’ thoughts and opinions about the decision aids and collect answers to the patient questionnaires. Harriet and Marianne use this information to prepare a letter to the physician, which is placed on the patient chart for review during the consultation. During and after treatment, both Harriet and Marianne are available to answer questions, provide additional information, and offer moral support. For additional information, please contact Harriet Gudenburr at hgudenbu@wpahs.org or Marianne Jeffries at mjeffrie@wpahs.org.

Story Gallery Click on each thumbnail to see and hear each story

Nurse Marianne Jeffries offers phone support prior to surgery consultations.

Manager Harriet believes the DVDs prepare patients to talk with their doctors.

Surgeon Thomas Julian finds patients are less anxious after seeing the DVDs.

 

Joan decided on breast conserving surgery after viewing the DVD.

According to Dr. Kathleen Erb, many personal factors affect a woman’s treatment choice.

Adelene was inspired by the patient stories on the DVDs.

Adelene's daughter, Gloria, credits the DVDs with empowering her mother.