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.

Circumvent anxiety of patients (CAP) while receiving chemotherapy at one-day hospital.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20500-e20500
Author(s):  
Joseph Gergi Kattan ◽  
Alain Daher ◽  
Lama jaoudat Assaker ◽  
Yolla Tanios Jreige ◽  
Rachide Jamil Aintouri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
The Other ◽  
Day Hospital ◽  
Patient Anxiety ◽  
Care Givers ◽  
Unique Experience ◽  
Beauty Care ◽  
First Time

e20500 Background: Transforming patient anxiety to comfort during chemotherapy delivery is the desire of every cancer care givers. For the first time, a beauty clinic services are offered to adult cancer patients, while receiving one-day chemotherapy. Methods: One-day unit at Saint Joseph hospital is an independent department including 12 beds and serving around 160 chemotherapy sessions per month. A professional physiotherapist in beauty care and relaxation massage offers her services for every patient during 15 minutes session at his own bed. CAP program was approved by Saint Joseph ethical committee and supported by Jane Nassar institute. Evaluation questionnaires were filled by randomly selected patients. Results: CAP program was initiated in August 2012. Around 10 patients per day were included. 90% of our patients welcome the program and participate. The majority of patients who refused participation at the first visit accept it during the second session. Men choose hands or feet relaxation massage and women usually face beauty care. 22 patients were randomly selected to fill the CAP-evaluation questionnaire. Among these 22 patients, 2 (9%) refused to participate in the program, one of them did not have a clear reason, the other attributed to a state of uncomfortable and depression. Among the 20 who participated, 90% had at least two sessions, 100% would advise other patients to participate, 95% of them believe that this service adds an advantage to delivered care and provides a restful atmosphere, and all of them encourage the department to continue to provide this service. Conclusions: Psychosocial support is almost lacking in the management of our patients leading to increase their anxiety while receiving chemotherapy. CAP program represents a unique experience and temptation in adult patients to circumvent their anxiety.

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.

Psychosocial Needs of Pediatric Cancer Patients in the Bronx

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret M. Mannix ◽  
Nicole Furnari ◽  
Adam Rudolph ◽  
Karen M. Moody
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Pediatric Cancer ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Pediatric Cancer Patients

PSYCHOLOGICAL REHABILITATION AND SCREENING OF EMOTIONAL STRESS IN CANCER PATIENTS

2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 316-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Chulkova ◽  
Tatyana Semiglazova ◽  
Margarita Vagaytseva ◽  
Andrey Karitskiy ◽  
Yevgeniy Demin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patient ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Stress ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychological Study ◽  
Psychological Assistance

Psychological rehabilitation is an integral part of rehabilitation of a cancer patient. Psychological rehabilitation is aimed at a patient adaptation in the situation of the disease and improvement his quality of life. Understanding of an oncological disease is extreme and (or) crisis situation and monitoring dynamics of the psychological statement of a patient allows using differentiated approach in the provision of professional psychological assistance. The modified scale of self-esteem level of distress (IPOS) was used for screening of mental and emotional stress of cancer patients. There were selected groups of cancer patients who were most in need of professional psychological assistance. Results of a psychological study of one of these groups - breast cancer patients - are presented.

scholarly journals The profile of vulnerable students using the university psychosocial and medical care services

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Papadakaki ◽  
F Sarakatsianou ◽  
V Tsismeli ◽  
G Lapidakis ◽  
M Karapiperaki
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Academic Progress ◽  
Health Examination ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Medical Unit ◽  
Set Up

Abstract Background Increasing the capacity of higher education institutes to address students' vulnerabilities has been deemed necessary due to the financial crisis. Multilevel interventions have thus been initiated at the Hellenic Mediterranean University of Crete, as part of a project co-financed by Greece and the European Union (European Social Fund-ESF) through the Operational Programme <<Human Resources Development, Education and Lifelong Learning 2014- 2020 >> (MIS 5045937). The project aims to offer support to students with low family income or a certified disability, monitor their bio-psychosocial needs, increase their accessibility to health and psychosocial care, and improve their academic outcomes. Methods As part of the project, a primary health care unit has been set up to offer medical and nursing care (medical unit) as well as psychosocial support (counseling centre) to students in need. An observatory has also been set up to monitor their health and psychosocial needs and their academic progress. Results A total of 228 eligible students used the services in the second half of 2019 (counseling centre 37; medical unit 191). Out of the 37 individuals who used the counseling centre, 30 (81.0%) were female and 16 (43.2%) were at the first 2 years of their studies. A total of 36 (97.3%) requested psychological support, 6 (16.2%) warranted social welfare services and 1 (2.7%) support for learning disabilities. As for the 191 individuals who used the medical services, 101 (52.8%) were male and 88 (46.0%) were at first 2 years of their studies. Most of them had a health examination to receive a health certificate (74.8%) followed by those who received emergency care (e.g. respiratory infection, allergic reaction, injury, etc), chronic disease management and medicine subscription, as well as vaccination. Conclusions Complex bio-psychosocial needs have been identified, recorded and analyzed to explain the academic progress of socially vulnerable students. Key messages The students’ journey through medical and counseling services is being mapped to offer important information for educational policy. Assessment and monitoring of students’ complex needs are important to achieve quality in higher education.

scholarly journals Compounded trauma: A qualitative study of the challenges for refugees living with advanced cancer

2021 ◽  
pp. 026921632110002
Author(s):  
Ping Guo ◽  
Sawsan Alajarmeh ◽  
Ghadeer Alarja ◽  
Waleed Alrjoub ◽  
Ayman Al-Essa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Support Network ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
The Impact

Background: Although palliative care is now an essential health service under Universal Health Coverage, ensuring access and appropriate care for refugees is a specific challenge for this large population. Aim: To identify the needs and experiences of adult refugees in Jordan with advanced cancer and informal caregivers. Design: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Setting/participants: Participants were purposively sampled at two Jordanian hospitals to achieve heterogeneity by age, gender, country of origin, and primary diagnosis. Results: Twenty-nine refugees (22 patients, 7 caregivers) participated, and four themes were generated: (1) Psychological distress and sustaining social support. Refugees often experienced unmet psychosocial needs. However, psychosocial support was reported either absent or limited. (2) Knowledge and uncertainty. Lack of information and poor communication between healthcare providers and patients caused significant distress due to uncertainty. (3) Family anxiety and support roles. Being away from the home country cut patients and caregivers off from their wider social support network, which added increased anxiety and responsibilities to caregivers. (4) Compounded trauma and poverty. Many refugees have experienced trauma related to war that may affect their physical and mental health. They faced serious financial crises caused by the rising cost of medicines and treatment. Conclusions: This study reveals the impact of fractured families and networks on social support in advanced cancer, and the compounding trauma of the disease for refugees. Detailed person-centred assessment and emphasis on psychosocial support is essential, and home-based care should not presume community support for patients to remain at home.

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