A resource kit for women with breast cancer: development and evaluation.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the development and evaluation of the Resource Kit for Women With Breast Cancer, designed to facilitate adaptation to diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. DATA SOURCES: Distributed to more than 200 women with newly diagnosed breast cancer. Derived from the Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing and the literature. DATA SYNTHESIS: The kit may be helpful, particularly for women who are too overwhelmed by their situations to retain the vast amount of new information to which they are exposed. CONCLUSIONS: The kit has the potential to assist women to adapt physically, emotionally, functionally, and interpersonally by concisely combining numerous relevant resources in one place, thereby facilitating the location and review of specific information. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: The kit is a complete package that can be used independently of any professional support as a guide for women during individualized professional telephone support or as an adjunct to formal breast cancer support groups.