This article describes a case study in which community consultation was used to assist in the preparation of a research project on viewing self in the mirror after mastectomy. Breast cancer survivors, nurses, and other health care professionals were consulted using a variety of interactive modalities. Over a period of three months, pre-research planning information was obtained from participants. A descriptive qualitative design was used to analyze the data. The ethical goals of community consultation provided the framework for dialogue and the synthesis of information. During this project, the potential benefits of the proposed research study were explored. Possible risks to future participants were discussed, and recommendations for participant protection suggested. Community members provided insight into the legitimacy of the study. Community consultation is a tool that researchers may consider when designing studies.
Polit DE and Beck CTNursing research: generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice, eighth edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008.
2.
Dickert N. and Sugarman J.Ethical goals of community consultation. Am J Public Health2005; 95: 1123-7.
3.
Freysteinson WMInternational reflections on the use of the mirror in nursing practice. Nurs Forum2009 ; 44: 47-56.
4.
Freysteinson WMTherapeutic mirror interventions: an integrated review of the literature. Holist Nurs2009 ; 27: 241-52; quiz 253-5.
5.
Tabak N., Bergman R. and Alpert R.The mirror as a therapeutic tool for patients with dementia. Int J Nurs Pract1996; 2: 155-9.
6.
MacQueen KM, McLellan E., Metzger DS, et al. What is community? An evidence-based definition for participatory public health. Am J Public Health2001; 91: 1929-38.
7.
Melton GB, Levine RJ, Koocher GP, et al. Community consultation in socially sensitive research. Lessons from clinical trials of treatment for AIDS. Am Psychol1988; 43: 573-81.
8.
Bird SJConsulting the community: limits and expectations. Sci Eng Ethics2004; 10: 481-2.
9.
Dickert N. and Sugarman J.Community consultation: not the problem; an important part of the solution . Am J Bioeth2006; 6(3): 26-8.
10.
Freysteinson WM and Cesario S.Have we lost sight of the mirrors? The therapeutic utility of mirrors in patient rooms. Holist Nurs Pract2008; 22: 317-23.
11.
Langellier KM and Sullivan CFBreast talk in breast cancer narratives. Qual Nurs Res1998; 8: 76-94.
12.
Kennerly SLWhat I’ve learned about mastectomy. Am J Nurs1977; 77: 1430-2.
13.
Freysteinson WMThe lived experience of terminally ill women viewing self in the mirror [Thesis]. Saskatoon (Sask): University of Saskatchewan, 1994.
14.
Avis NE, Crawford S. and Manuel J.Psychosocial problems among younger women with breast cancer. Psychooncology2004; 13: 295-308.
15.
Hill O. and White K.Exploring women’s experiences of TRAM flap breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum2008; 35: 81-8.
16.
Ashing-Giwa KT , Padilla G., Tejero J., et al. Understanding the breast cancer experience of women: a qualitative study of African American, Asian, American, Latina and Caucasian cancer survivors. Psychooncology2004; 13: 408-28.
17.
Love SM and Lindsey K.Dr Susan Love’s breast book, fourth edition. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Press, 2005 .
18.
Kneece JCHelping your mate face breast cancer: tips for becoming an effective support partner, sixth edition. North Charleston, SC: EduCare, 2007.
19.
Kneece JCYour breast cancer treatment handbook, sixth edition. North Charleston, SC: EduCare, 2008.
20.
American Cancer Society.Sexuality for the woman with cancer. Cleveland, OH: ACS, 2009.
21.
McGaughey A.Body-image after bilateral prophylactic mastectomy: an integrative literature review. J Midwifery Womens Health2006; 51: e45-9.
22.
Montebarocci O., Dato FL, Baldaro B., et al. Anxiety and body satisfaction before and six months after mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. Psychol Rep2007; 101: 100-6.
23.
Baucom DH, Porter LS, Kirby JS, et al. Psychological issues confronting young women with breast cancer . Breast Dis2006; 23: 103-13.
24.
Reich M., Lesur A. and Perdrizet-Chevallier C.Depression, quality of life and breast cancer: a review of the literature . Breast Cancer Res Treat2008; 110: 9-17.
25.
Montazeri A.Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: a bibliographic review of the literature from 1974-2007. J Exp Clin Cancer Res2008; 27: 32. http://www.jeccr.com/search/results.asp?terms=Montazeri&db=jou10158&searchoperator=and&usq_param1=all&Submitted=Yes&Submit.x=25&Submit.y=6 (2008, accessed November 2008).
26.
Karabulut N. and Erci B.Sexual desire and satisfaction in sexual life affecting factors in breast cancer survivors after mastectomy. J Psychosoc Oncol2009; 27: 332-43.
27.
American Cancer Society.Find support and treatment: Reach to Recovery. Atlanta, GA: ACS. http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/SupportProgramsServices/Programs/reach-to-recovery (n.d., accessed August 2010).
28.
Cancer Counseling.Home page . Houston, TX: Cancer Counseling . http://www.cancercounseling.info/ ( 2009, accessed November 2009).
29.
CanCare.Fighting cancer with hope. Home page. Houston, TX: Cancare. http://www.cancare.org/ ( 2008, accessed November 2008).
30.
Komen SGHome page. Susan G Komen for the cure. http://ww5.komen.org/ (2009, accessed November 2009).
31.
Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences.Home page. International ethical guidelines for biomedical research involving human subjects prepared by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). http://www.cioms.ch/frame_guidelines_nov_2002.htm (2002, accessed February 2010).
