scholarly journals The Design and Implementation of Cancer Patient Support Groups in Rural Haiti

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 89s-89s
Author(s):  
O. Deshommes ◽  
L. Greenberg ◽  
L. Haskins ◽  
B.F. Pierre ◽  
P.-G. Désameau
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Patient Support

Background: In Haiti, cancer is associated with myths that have traumatic effects on patients and families. Cancer diagnoses are drivers of socioeconomic change, with psychological repercussions for an impoverished population. Aware of this reality, the Oncology Service at University Hospital of Mirebalais (HUM) created a dedicated psychosocial team, composed of a social worker, her assistant and a psychologist. Care is provided to patients and families through: individual counseling, support groups, outreach activities, home visits, and mental health consults. This abstract focuses on patient support groups (SG). SGs act as vectors of information and training that are capable of breaking myths, and accompanying patients on their cancer journey. Aim: The primary aim of SGs is to create a space for patients to participate in education and peer counseling. During sessions, the team encourages expressions of emotions and experiences in relation to the disease and its repercussions on patients and caregivers. These discussions encourage participant solidarity and strengthen compliance to treatments. SGs, however, are not static and services are continuously improved by collecting feedback. Methods: To address the psychosocial needs of each cancer patient, SGs were developed with specificity. Patients are categorized in SGs according to the medical treatment they are receiving. Other SGs offered, focus on caregiver experience. SGs have about 12 participants, last 120 minutes and are held in a private space in HUM. In general, discussions relate to patient experience, side effects, relationship implications, and socio-economic impacts. Across all SGs, principles for speaking are negotiated and are always at discretion of participants. Results: The HUM team has provided SG services since 2013. SGs are held often and the majority of oncology patients participate. In 2017, we held 30 SGs with over 380 participants. Therapeutic alliances have improved relationships: patient–patient, family–patient, and patient-clinician - fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. However, all SGs must be performed the same day as the medical appointment due to socio-economic difficulties that can create logistical challenges. Patient needs are also fluid and flexibility is key as SGs evolve. Conclusion: SGs play a critical role in comprehensive cancer care, particularly in Haiti where there are severe social implications for patients. Mental health of cancer patients is critical and SGs are an impactful way to address this need. Arranging SGs by medical treatment, the model used at HUM, is adaptable to other low-income settings. Every SG is different and facilitators approach each session without preconceptions, yet diligent to gather feedback. SGs provide critical information to clinicians about social determinants and implications of cancer diagnoses in Haiti. In the future, we hope to do robust qualitative analysis of SGs, using feedback from cancer patients at HUM.

scholarly journals Application of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics-6 (SAVE-6) and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) to Measure Anxiety in Cancer Patient in Response to COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung Hee Ahn ◽  
Jihoon Lee ◽  
Sooyeon Suh ◽  
Sangha Lee ◽  
Hwa Jung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Anxiety Scale ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Social Adjustment Scale

This study investigated the usefulness of the six-item Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics (SAVE-6) scale and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) as tools to assess anxiety related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in cancer patients. A total of 221 patients with cancer responded to an anonymous online questionnaire between 15 July and 15 August 2020. The functional impairment of the patients was assessed using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the SAVE-6 and CAS were also applied. Among these 221 cancer patients, 110 (49.8%) had SAVE-6 scores ≥ 15 and 21 (9.5%) had CAS scores ≥ 5. Within the study population, 104 (47.1%) and 29 (13.1%) patients had WSAS scores ≥ 11 (moderate to severe functional impairment) and ≥ 21 (severe functional impairment), respectively. The correlations between the SAVE-6 and WSAS (p < 0.001) and CAS (p < 0.001) scores were statistically significant. The cut-off for the SAVE-6 was 15 points, while that for the WSAS was 11. Our results suggested that the SAVE-6 and CAS could be used to evaluate moderate and severe degrees of functional impairment related to mental health, respectively, in cancer patients during viral epidemics.

scholarly journals Application of the Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemic-6 (SAVE-6) and Coronavirus Anxiety scales (CAS) to measure cancer patient anxiety in response to the COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myung Hee Ahn ◽  
Jihoon Lee ◽  
Sooyeon Suh ◽  
Sangha Lee ◽  
Hwa Jung Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Social Adjustment ◽  
Functional Impairment ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Social Adjustment Scale

This study investigated the usefulness of the 6-item Stress and Anxiety to Viral Epidemics (SAVE-6) scale and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) as tools to assess anxiety related to coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in cancer patients. A total of 221 patients with cancer responded to an anonymous online questionnaire between July 15 and August 15, 2020. The functional impairment of the patients was assessed using the Work and Social Adjustment Scale (WSAS), and the SAVE-6 and CAS were also applied. Among these 221 cancer patients, 110 (49.8%) had SAVE-6 scores ≥15 and 21 (9.5%) had CAS scores ≥5. Within the study population, 104 (47.1%) and 29 (13.1%) patients had WSAS scores ≥11 (moderate to severe functional impairment) and ≥21 (severe functional impairment), respectively. The correlations between the SAVE-6 and WSAS (p < 0.001) and CAS (p < 0.001) scores were statistically significant. The cut-off for the SAVE-6 was 15 points, while that for the WSAS was 11. Our results suggested that the SAVE-6 and CAS could be used to evaluate moderate and severe degrees of functional impairment related to mental health, respectively, in cancer patients during viral epidemics.

scholarly journals Patient and tumour characteristics associated with inclusion in Cancer patient pathways in Norway in 2015–2016

BMC Cancer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yngvar Nilssen ◽  
Odd Terje Brustugun ◽  
Morten Tandberg Eriksen ◽  
Erik Skaaheim Haug ◽  
Bjørn Naume ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Waiting Time ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Prostate Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Patient Pathways ◽  
Region Of Residence

Abstract Background Cancer patient pathways (CPPs) were implemented in 2015 to reduce waiting time, regional variation in waiting time, and to increase the predictability of cancer care for the patients. The aims of this study were to see if the national target of 70% of all cancer patients being included in a CPP was met, and to identify factors associated with CPP inclusion. Methods All patients registered with a colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancer diagnosis at the Cancer Registry of Norway in the period 2015–2016 were linked with the Norwegian Patient Registry for CPP information and with Statistics Norway for sociodemographic variables. Multivariable logistic regression examined if the odds of not being included in a CPP were associated with year of diagnosis, age, sex, tumour stage, marital status, education, income, region of residence and comorbidity. Results From 2015 to 2016, 30,747 patients were diagnosed with colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancer, of whom 24,429 (79.5%) were included in a CPP. Significant increases in the probability of being included in a CPP were observed for colorectal (79.1 to 86.2%), lung (79.0 to 87.3%), breast (91.5 to 97.2%) and prostate cancer (62.2 to 76.2%) patients (p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with an increased odds of not being included in a CPP for lung (p < 0.001) and prostate cancer (p < 0.001) patients. Colorectal cancer patients < 50 years of age had a two-fold increase (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.70–2.91) in the odds of not being included in a CPP. The odds of no CPP inclusion were significantly increased for low income colorectal (OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.00–1.54) and lung (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.16–1.99) cancer patients. Region of residence was significantly associated with CPP inclusion (p < 0.001) and the probability, adjusted for case-mix ranged from 62.4% in region West among prostate cancer patients to 97.6% in region North among breast cancer patients. Conclusions The national target of 70% was met within 1 year of CPP implementation in Norway. Although all patients should have equal access to CPPs, a prostate cancer diagnosis, older age, high level of comorbidity or low income were significantly associated with an increased odds of not being included in a CPP.

scholarly journals What Do Cancer Patients Value? A Unique Experience at Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in Hong Kong

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 105s-105s
Author(s):  
S. Chan ◽  
A. Chan
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Comparison Results ◽  
Designed Environment

Background: Maggie's Cancer Caring Centre in Hong Kong (“Maggie's HK”) adopted a person-centered approach advocated by Maggie Keswick Jencks, who was the founder and a cancer patient. Witnessing first-hand that many psychosocial needs of a cancer patient could not be met through the existing medical system, Maggie created a blueprint for a purposefully-designed architecture and the services complementary to the existing system. The centre aims to empower people affected by cancer, be they cancer patients or caregivers, to live with, live through and live beyond cancer via informational and psychological consultations, psychosocial support programs and a therapeutic environment. People in need are welcome to drop-in anytime to use the centre while all services/programs are free and no referral/appointment is needed. As this patient-oriented drop-in service, integrated multidisciplinary approach and the therapeutic architecture, as one of a kind would conceptually make people feel at home, feel respected, see themselves as a person rather than a patient, and gain confidence in facing and walking through the cancer journey, how does this translate into practice in Maggie's HK? Aim: To examine the uniqueness of Maggie's HK cancer care service, especially the patient-oriented drop-in service and the purposefully-designed environment, this study investigated cancer patients' related experience at Maggie's HK and its influences on their cancer adjustment and adaptive coping in the community. Methods: A qualitative study design was adopted. Thirteen semistructured focus group interviews, each with 5-6 cancer patients/care-givers at Maggie's HK, were held from August 2016 to January 2017. Each interview lasted from 1.5 to 2.5 hours and were audio recorded then transcribed verbatim. Different themes were generated through repeated readings and content analysis with constant comparison. Results: Three main themes regarding the unique experiences of the drop-in service model under a purposefully-designed environment at Maggie's HK were emerged from the focus groups: Creating a sense of home for the centre users. Users reported the centre is like their second home giving them a sense of autonomy, security, trust and comfort. Empowering users to deal with uncertainties. Users reported the (drop-in) service helps to reduce their fear, worries and doubts. Providing a nurturing context for users' needs. Users reported the design of the physical environment has catered to their specific needs at different moments in time. Conclusion: The study reveals that the innovative model of patient-oriented drop-in service under a therapeutic physical environment at Maggie's HK contributes significantly a positive experience and impact on cancer patients in the reduction of their fear and worries, while enhancing their role as active participants in their care. There is also a developed sense of autonomy, security and confidence in the cancer journey.

Cancer care during COVID-19: Data from 157 patient organizations.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e18564-e18564
Author(s):  
Lorna Warwick ◽  
Elisabeth Baugh ◽  
Fatima Cardoso ◽  
Rachel H. Giles ◽  
Alex Filicevas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Pancreatic Cancer Patient ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Cancer Services ◽  
Patient Groups ◽  
The Impact

e18564 Background: Representatives from 8 global cancer coalitions/alliances, representing 650 cancer patient groups and the interests of over 14 million patients have come together during the pandemic to review and evaluate the patient-perspective impact. Cancer services have faced challenges as a result of COVID-19, including suspension of screening and diagnostic services; delays in diagnosis leading to higher mortality rates; cancellation/deferral of life-saving treatments; changes in treatment regimens and suspension of vital research. For organisations that provide support to cancer patients, declining income, the need to reduce staff and move to virtual working practices has put extra strain while demand for support due to the pandemic has increased. Methods: 5 coalitions surveyed their member organisations. A number of coalitions consulted their members by individual surveys or consultations. Results: A survey of 157 organisations representing advanced breast, bladder, lymphoma, ovarian and pancreatic cancer patient groups from 56 countries found that 57% experienced an average increase of 44% in patient calls and emails. 45% reported that their future viability may be under threat because of the impact of COVID-19 on income. Examples of good practice were reported where healthcare systems have acted to protect patients and cancer services. These include the introduction of COVID-free centres, separation of cancer patients from those who may have COVID-19, and the introduction of virtual and telemedicine services. Organisations have also introduced new ways of working including virtual psychological support services and app-based support groups. These best practices should form part of a global plan of action for future health crisis. Conclusions: Collaboration between patient advocacy organisations, governments and health services is needed to ensure the ground lost to the COVID-19 pandemic is regained. Action is required to restore cancer services safely and effectively without delay. Additional resources for organisations that support cancer patients are required to ensure that they continue to provide vital services. Finally, a global plan of action for cancer is required to meet the challenges of any future health crisis.

Content analysis of postings in a stomach cancer survivor and caregiver support group on Facebook.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 223-223
Author(s):  
James Randolph Hillard
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stomach Cancer ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Good News ◽  
New Members ◽  
Caregiver Support ◽  
New Treatments ◽  
Age Range

223 Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer are increasingly turning to patient created social media groups to connect with others suffering from similar conditions. These groups allow sharing of information and support between their members, without involving medical or mental health professionals. This study examines the content of communications within one of these groups in order to identify the needs these groups are addressing, and in order to explore implications for mental health. Methods: This study focuses on a single Facebook group for stomach cancer patients and caregivers which has grown from 239 members a year ago to 1,128 members now and which has been operating for about four years. Two thirds of members are cancer patients, and the rest are caregivers. About 75% of members are from the US. The age range is 40-79, with a mean of 54. Members are 55% women, and 80% are middle class. Most members have been in the group for six to twelve months. The site averages about five original posts and about 50 responses a day. 100 consecutive posts were assigned to one of 12 pre-selected content categories. Results: Primary purpose of each of 100 consecutive posts (1) Sharing updates on their condition: 14 (2) Questions about treatment side effects: 13 (3) General requests for information: 13 (4) Requests for support or prayers: 11 (5) Sharing good news: 11 (6) Welcoming new members: 11 (7) Giving general support: 9 (8) Announcing a death: 5 (9) Sharing information about new treatments: 5 (10) Sharing humor: 4 (11) Sharing bad news: 2 (12) Asking "How are you?": 2. Conclusions: This Facebook group served many of the same functions that are served by face to face support groups for cancer patients. Members routinely shared intimate details with each other, and they routinely asked questions about their illness that they could not get answers to anywhere else. Leaderless Facebook groups such as this one are an important, and little studied, psychological resource for patients suffering from cancer.

Saudi Cancer Patient Experience: Benchmarking a single center report to the United Kingdom National Experience.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14138-e14138
Author(s):  
Hoda Jradi ◽  
Alanood Abdulaziz Alharbi ◽  
Maali Omar Alrashed ◽  
Mishael Ali Alshoaibi ◽  
Mohammad Alkaiyat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Patient Experience ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
National Guard ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Uk

e14138 Background: Diagnosis and treatment of cancer are regarded as stressful experiences impacting the patients and their families. This study aims at comparing the Saudi cancer patient experience with the United Kingdom cancer patient experience throughout their continuum of care. Methods: Results from the United Kingdom (UK) National Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NCPES 2017) were compared to the reported results from the experience of 100 cancer patients for the same year at the National Guard Health affairs Health system in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Similar concepts relating to the experience were investigated and compared. Results: Compared to the UK survey, the Saudi survey had mainly higher score regarding receiving an overall positive cancer care. Scores related to provision of clear answers to all important questions, judging the hospital staff as always working well together, and family members being given the opportunity to communicate with the doctor were significantly higher among Saudis. The UK patient scored significantly higher on receiving information about diagnostic tests, treatment side effects, and discharge instructions, and being informed about support groups and on-going cancer research. Conclusions: The overall experience of the Saudi cancer patients compared favorably to the UK cancer patients; however, in the domain of information provision as an essential part of the cancer experience is still lacking in the Saudi cancer care approach. Quality improvement should focus on the findings of this study for better health outcomes. [Table: see text]

Online resilience support groups during the COVID-19 pandemic: the Philippine experience

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Regina Hechanova ◽  
Arsenio S. Alianan, Jr ◽  
Rosanne M. Jocson ◽  
Angelique P. Villasanta
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Peer Support ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Support Group ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Adaptive Coping ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the outcomes of an online resilience support group during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Specifically, it described the extent to which the program improved adaptive coping, non-reactivity, resilience and well-being and decreased stress, depression and anxiety symptoms of participants. Design/methodology/approach This study used a pretest–posttest design with 53 participants. A majority of participants were female (74%) who participated in the program for 6–8 weeks. Scales measuring adaptive coping, non-reactivity, resilience, well-being, stress, depression and anxiety were administered before and after the completion of the modules. Findings Results revealed significant improvements in adaptive coping particularly seeking emotional and instrumental support, active coping, and religious coping. The results also showed significant improvements in nonreactivity, psychological well-being and resilience and decrease in depression symptoms. Effect size estimates indicate medium effect sizes for well-being and nonreactivity with the other outcomes having small effect sizes. Research limitations/implications A limitation of this study is the lack of a randomized control trial design and the lack of control for extraneous variables. Future studies using rigorous and longitudinal designs are recommended. Future studies may also examine program implementation factors such as using homogenous groups. Practical implications In most low-income countries, the provision of mental health and psychosocial support during the COVID-19 pandemic has been hampered by the lack of mental health professionals, issues of internet connectivity and a lack of resources and access. Online resilience support groups may provide a means to address these challenges by making mental health support more accessible and available. Social implications The COVID-19 pandemic has caused isolation and a means to bridge this is through peer support groups. This may be especially important in collectivist cultures where social relationships serve as recovery capital. Originality/value Although there has been a rise in the use of technology, most are in the form of individual or self-help interventions. This paper examines the feasibility of an online structured peer support group that focuses on building resilience skills. It fills a gap in the literature on online peer support groups that may be most relevant for low-income countries with a dearth of mental health specialists.

scholarly journals Impact of an inpatient palliative consultation in terminally ill cancer patients.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 77-77
Author(s):  
Radha Krishna Rao Vegunta ◽  
Brandon Jamal Blue ◽  
Hermina Deepika Fernandes ◽  
Satya Upadhyayula ◽  
Patricia Burhanna ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Care Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Terminally Ill ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Care Organization ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Terminally Ill Cancer Patients ◽  
Palliative Care Consultation

77 Background: Terminally ill cancer patients have complex medical and psychosocial needs at the end of life. Given these complexities, limited data is available to suggest the appropriate timing of palliative care involvement in the treatment of cancer. Our study aims to describe the referral patterns of inpatient palliative care consultations in advanced cancer patients in a tertiary care center. Methods: A retrospective review was performed. Inpatient palliative consultation was obtained in cancer patients from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. Descriptive statistics are used in data analysis. Results: Inpatient palliative care consults (IPCC) were obtained for 245 cancer patients admitted to Saint Louis University Hospital. Of the 245, 130 were male (53.06%), 115 were female (46.93%), 128 were White (52.24%), and 114 were Black (46.53%). Newly diagnosed patients with cancer during the current admission were 79(32.24%). 57 (23.26%) patients were admitted to the Intensive care unit during hospitalization. A total of 39(15.91%) patients died in the hospital; among those who died in the hospital 34 had ICU stay during the hospitalization or died in the ICU (87%). Malignancies most common were lung 71(28.97%) followed by pancreatic-biliary 33(13.4%), lymphoma and leukemia 22(8.9%), hepatocellular carcinoma 18(7.34%), head and neck 16 (6.5%), and upper GI 16 (6.5%). Disposition at discharge included home hospice 67 (28.3%), hospice in facility 27(11%), home without hospice 71(28.9%), facility without hospice 39(15.9%). Conclusions: According to the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization as of 2013, 7.0% hospice patients die in acute care hospitals. Our data shows 15.9% who received IPCC died in the hospital with 87% dying in ICU. This is likely due to delays in the initiation of palliative care consultation as outpatient leading to increase strain on tertiary referral centers. In another study 22% of eligible Black patients received IPCC. Our rate of IPCC in Blacks was 46.5%. This highlights the disparity in access to outpatient palliative care in this population. Future efforts should be made to promote early outpatient palliative services to reduce ICU admissions, hospital re-admissions and healthcare costs.

scholarly journals Exploring Mental Health during the Initial COVID-19 Lockdown in Mumbai: Serendipity for Some Women

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (23) ◽  
pp. 12542
Author(s):  
Lisa R. Roberts ◽  
Shreeletha Solomon ◽  
Solomon J. Renati ◽  
Susanne Montgomery
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Family Time ◽  
The Government

Background: This study explored how low-income women already distressed by reproductive challenges were affected during the initial lockdown conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic in Mumbai, India. Methods: Women with reproductive challenges and living in established slums participated in a longitudinal mixed-methods study comparing their mental health over time, at pre-COVID-19 and at one and four-months into India’s COVID-19 lockdown. Results: Participants (n = 98) who presented with elevated mental health symptoms at baseline had significantly reduced symptoms during the initial lockdown. Improvements were associated with income, socioeconomic status, perceived stress, social support, coping strategies, and life satisfaction. Life satisfaction explained 37% of the variance in mental health change, which was qualitatively linked with greater family time (social support) and less worry about necessities, which were subsidized by the government. Conclusions: As the pandemic continues and government support wanes, original mental health issues are likely to resurface and possibly worsen, if unaddressed. Our research points to the health benefits experienced by the poor in India when basic needs are at least partially met with government assistance. Moreover, our findings point to the critical role of social support for women suffering reproductive challenges, who often grieve alone. Future interventions to serve these women should take this into account.

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