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.
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
