"One of the team" patient experience of integrated breast cancer care

Purpose This paper presents my experience of breast cancer care in which I describe my care as positive and integrated. Design/methodology/approach I have applied an autoethnographical approach to my patient story to analyse my care in order to reflect and share insights. I have applied my knowledge and experience in integrated care through my research, management and practice. Findings In my patient story I describe being empowered and feeling like "one of the team." Vertical and horizontal integration was evident across staff services and agencies. This included integrated working across multi-disciplinary teams, between primary and secondary care and also between the NHS and a voluntary agency. I identified features that were important to me in my care under the headings of: certainty, communication, contact, compassion, continuity, cohesive, care and collaboration. Practical implications I consider the implications of sharing patient stories to inform quality improvement, influence education and training for staff and design support for patients. I consider how patients can be more involved in the evaluation of their care. Originality/value This viewpoint has been written from my perspective as a patient and a professional, and was written in order to recognise good practice and share the learning for continual quality improvement. There is every sign that person-centred integrated care is starting to be embedded in some of our services and hopefully this will be recognised, celebrated and sustained.