Telephone peer support for women with gynaecological cancer: recipients' perspectives

"A Mission and Purpose to Make Some Sense out of Everything That Was Happening to Me": A Qualitative Assessment of Mentorship in a Peer-to-Peer Gynecologic Cancer Program

This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between mentorship, survivorship, and identity construction in people who have had gynecologic cancer and participated as mentors in a peer mentorship program. A qualitative descriptive study was designed, and hour-long semi-structured interviews with peer mentors were conducted. Interviews investigated how serving as a peer mentor influenced understanding of mentors' own cancer experiences. Thematic analysis was then conducted. All authors open-coded a subset of interviews to develop a codebook, which was then used to code the remaining transcripts. This qualitative inductive analysis of over 7 h of data was managed with NVivo 12. Seven peer mentor participants (N = 7) were interviewed. Four main themes emerged: serving in the social role of mentor gave participants (i) a sense of daily direction in their lives, (ii) an opportunity to give back to others in the cancer community, (iii) an explanatory reason for their cancer journey, and (iv) the ability to reify their own status as survivor. Providing support through a peer mentorship program helped our participants make meaning in their own cancer experience.

Feasibility of a nurse-initiated brief cognitive behavioral strategy intervention program for symptom clusters experienced by patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer

Objective

To assess the feasibility of a nurse-initiated brief cognitive behavioral strategy (CBS) intervention program targeting pain and fatigue symptoms among the pain and fatigue/anorexia symptom clusters experienced by patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods

In this single-group, pre-post test study, 15 NSCLC outpatients undergoing medical treatment participated. After providing informed consent, participants completed a baseline questionnaire and received a booklet detailing brief cognitive-behavioral techniques (e.g., relaxation, symptom-management strategies), exercise therapy, and related tools. Follow-up calls were made five times over a 10-week period to monitor adherence and assess symptom severity changes.

Results

Ten participants (66.7%) completed the program. For pain management, 86.7% of participants chose deep breathing as a relaxation technique, and 80.0% used exercise to alleviate fatigue. Median symptom severities decreased from baseline to week 10 as follows: pain (2.00 to 1.00), sadness (1.00 to 0.00), and anxiety (1.00 to 0.50).

Conclusions

The naurse-initiated brief CBS intervention program is feasible and clinically relevant for patients with advanced NSCLC undergoing standard treatment in Japan.

Psychosocial interventions that target adult cancer survivors' reintegration into daily life after active cancer treatment: a scoping review

OBJECTIVE

This review explored psychosocial interventions targeting adult cancer survivors' reintegration following active cancer treatment. This included the types of interventions tested and the tools used to measure reintegration.

INTRODUCTION

Cancer survivors face lingering health issues following the completion of cancer treatment. Many cancer survivors still experience unmet psychosocial care needs despite receiving follow-up care. Further, many survivorship interventions do not specifically address outcomes important to survivors. A number of primary studies have identified reintegration as an outcome important to cancer survivors. Reintegration is a concept that focuses on returning to normal activities, routines, and social roles after cancer treatment; however, it is emerging and abstract.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

Studies involving adult cancer survivors (18 years or older at diagnosis) of any cancer type or stage were included in this review. Studies with psychosocial interventions targeted at reintegrating the person into daily life after cancer treatment were included. Interventions addressing clinical depression or anxiety, and interventions treating solely physical needs that were largely medically focused were excluded.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCOhost), and Embase. Gray literature was searched using ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (ProQuest). Reference lists of included studies were searched. Studies were screened at the title/abstract and full-text levels, and 2 independent reviewers extracted data. Manuscripts in languages other than English were excluded due to feasibility (eg, cost, time of translations). Findings were summarized narratively and reported in tabular and diagrammatic format.

RESULTS

The 3-step search strategy yielded 5617 citations. After duplicates were removed, the remaining 4378 citations were screened at the title and abstract level, then the remaining 306 citations were evaluated at the full-text level by 2 independent reviewers. Forty studies were included that evaluated psychosocial interventions among adult cancer survivors trying to reintegrate after active cancer treatment (qualitative n=23, mixed methods n=8, quantitative n=8, systematic review n=1). Included articles spanned 10 different countries/regions. Over half of all included articles (n=25) focused primarily on breast cancer survivors. Many studies (n=17) were conducted in primary care or community-based settings. The most common types of interventions were peer-support groups (n=14), follow-up education and support (n=14), exercise programs (n=6), and multidisciplinary/multicomponent programs (n=6). While the majority of included studies characterized the outcome qualitatively, 9 quantitative tools were also employed.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identified 6 types of interventions to reintegrate survivors back into their daily lives following cancer treatment. An important thread across intervention types was a focus on personalization in the form of problem/goal identification. Given the number of qualitative studies, future research could include a qualitative systematic review and meta-aggregation. Quantitative tools may not be as effective for evaluating reintegration. More primary studies, including mixed methods studies, utilizing consistent measurement tools are required. Furthermore, this work provides a basis for future research to continue examining the complexity of implementing such interventions to successfully achieve reintegration. To do so, primary studies evaluating interventions from an implementation science and complex systems perspective would be useful.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

Open Science Framework https://osf.io/r6bmx.

Integrating one-to-one peer support into psycho-oncological care in Germany: multi-perspective, mixed-methods evaluation of the isPO onco-guide service

PURPOSE

One-to-one peer supporters called isPO onco-guides (isPO OGs) are an integral part of the new German psycho-oncological form of care 'integrated, cross-sectoral Psycho-Oncology' (isPO), additionally to professional care. The isPO OGs are cancer survivors with experiential knowledge, offering information on local support services and answering questions 'all around cancer' to newly diagnosed cancer patients. We aimed to evaluate the isPO OG service from three perspectives: patients, isPO OGs, and professional service providers.

METHODS

A mixed-methods approach was pursued. We conducted interviews and focus groups with the three person groups, and applied qualitative content analysis on the reported resources, processes and outcomes regarding the isPO OG service. Relations with patients' utilisation and isPO OGs' work satisfaction were identified with regression and correlation analyses of questionnaire and isPO care data. We compared isPO care networks (CN) with X2-tests or ANOVA. Qualitative and quantitative results were integrated during interpretation phase.

RESULTS

Qualitatively, the three person groups agreed on the benefits of the isPO OG service. The implementation's maturity differed between the CN concerning established processes and resource availability. Attitudes of professional service providers appeared to be crucial for patients' utilisation of the isPO OG service. Quantitative results emphasised the differences between the CN.

CONCLUSION

Beyond differences in the CN, the isPO OG service has two psychosocial benefits: providing relevant, reliable, and understandable information; and offering the encouraging example that surviving and living with cancer is possible.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study was registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (No. DRKS00015326) on 30.10.2018.

Cancer-Peer Connection in the Context of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer: A Qualitative Exploration

Purpose: This qualitative study examined experiences and attitudes related to cancer-peer interactions among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. Methods: Twenty-six survivors, aged 16-24 years who were diagnosed with cancer between the ages of 14 and 18, completed one-on-one semistructured interviews as part of a larger study. Interviews were coded and analyzed using an iterative consensus and data-driven approach. Results: The data for this study revealed three main themes related to cancer peers, including the unique aspects of shared illness experience (i.e., personalizing of support from lived experience, inspiration from upward comparisons, space to be scared and to joke about cancer), benefits of providing support to other patients/survivors (i.e., giving back, healing after cancer, and incorporating cancer into life as a survivor), and considerations and concerns when connecting with cancer peers (i.e., exposure to adverse outcomes, "ignorance is bliss": blocking cancer out, guilt and cancer imposter syndrome). Conclusion: Study findings demonstrate the importance of cancer-peer connection and support in AYA cancer care, both during treatment and in survivorship. Future research should explore the ways in which peer-to-peer support programs could be tailored to best serve the AYA population in the context of cancer care.

Optimizing use of Written Peer Support as a Supportive Resource in Cancer: FOCUS GROUP INSIGHTS

PURPOSE

Cancer survivors frequently describe wanting to learn from others who have had similar diagnoses or treatments (peer support). We conducted focus groups to investigate hematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors' attitudes and preferences regarding accessing written peer support through a website. Although written peer support does not allow for interpersonal interactions with peers, it could increase transplant recipients' access to evidence-based benefits of informational and emotional peer support.

METHODS

We conducted four videoconference focus groups with 34 adult transplant survivors who were diverse in their medical and sociodemographic characteristics and geographic location. Discussions were recorded, transcribed, and content analyzed.

RESULTS

Many participants reported need for information about transplant beyond what they received from their healthcare providers. Needs varied across participants, as did preferences for characteristics and timing of information optimally provided through peer support. Participants were enthusiastic about the value of written peer support but emphasized that it should be delivered in a way that accommodates variation in transplant experiences, underscores its trustworthiness, and pairs it with useful psychoeducational content.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings provide guidance for making written peer support an accessible, supportive resource for transplant survivors. Future research should evaluate personalized online delivery of written peer support paired with psychoeducational content that enhances its benefits.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Written peer support delivered online could be a useful, valued resource for transplant survivors. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Family caregiver ambassador support for caregivers of patients with newly diagnosed hematological cancer: a feasibility study

PURPOSE

This study investigated the feasibility of a one-on-one peer support intervention in family caregivers of newly diagnosed patients with a hematological cancer during initial treatment.

METHODS

The study was a one-arm feasibility study including family caregivers of newly diagnosed patients with hematological cancer (n = 26) and caregiver ambassadors who were family caregivers of previously treated patients as peer supporters (n = 17). The one-on-one peer support intervention consisted of three components: a caregiver ambassador preparatory course; 12 weeks of one-on-one peer support, and caregiver ambassador network meetings.

RESULTS

Family caregivers reported high satisfaction with the delivery and flexibility of one-on-one peer support and improved in most psychosocial outcomes over time. Telephone and text messages were the most used form of contact between the peers. Caregiver ambassadors reported high satisfaction with the preparatory course and used the available support from the network meetings. No adverse events were reported.

CONCLUSION

One-on-one peer support provided by a caregiver ambassador is feasible and safe in family caregivers of newly diagnosed hematological cancer patients during their initial treatment. Utilizing volunteer caregiver ambassadors has the potential to be a new support model in family caregivers of hematological cancer patients across diagnostic groups within a clinical setting.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04039100, July 29, 2019.

A qualitative exploration of physical and psychosocial well-being in the short and long term after treatments for cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Cervical cancer is predominantly a cancer of younger women, and improvements in oncological outcomes have led to an increase in cervical cancer survivors living with the long-term effects of treatment. Understanding the recovery process after treatment is essential to increase awareness of the short- and long-term needs of survivors. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore the recovery process and return to daily activity of cervical cancers survivors from a biopsychosocial perspective.

METHODS

Participants were 21 women treated for cervical cancer between the ages of 18 and 60 years, living in the United Kingdom. Interviews were undertaken face to face and via the telephone using a semi-structured interview schedule.

RESULTS

Data analysis revealed themes which represented participants' experience and perceptions of treatment as a paradox; emotional needs after treatment; and a journey of adversarial growth. A key finding from this analysis was the nuanced experiences between treatment modalities, with physical changes perceived to be more disruptive following radical treatments, whilst psychological repercussions were significant regardless of treatment type.

CONCLUSION

This study provides novel insight into the varied recovery experiences of those treated with surgery and/or chemoradiotherapy for cervical cancer, which can be used to improve the survivorship experience.

Expanding access to cancer peer support: development of a website to deliver written peer support that meets patients' individual emotional and informational needs while reducing potential harms

Cancer patients often want information from "peers" with the same diagnosis or treatment. To increase access to this valuable resource, we developed a website to deliver written peer support to cancer patients undergoing stem cell transplant. Because little evidence describes how to optimize benefits or reduce potential harms of written peer support, we gathered multiple forms of stakeholder feedback to inform the website's ethical approach, personalization, design, function, and content: a Community Advisory Board; a longitudinal study of patients' written peer support needs and motivations; focus groups; semi-structured interviews; and usability testing. Findings provide a rich foundation for website development.

"There's somebody like me": perspectives of a peer-to-peer gynecologic cancer mentorship program

Purpose

The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance’s Woman to Woman (W2W) program is a peer mentorship program for women with gynecological cancer that was founded in 2004 and has expanded to 43 sites nationwide. An initial program survey was conducted in 2013, but no qualitative studies have investigated patient experiences with peer support programs for gynecologic cancer in the USA. This study examines the match experience at one program site. The aim of this qualitative study was to capture mentor and mentee experiences giving and receiving peer support, including how relationships were initiated and developed.

Methods

Hour-long, semi-structured interviews were conducted with both mentors and mentees. Interviews focused on the dynamics of the mentor–mentee relationship. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and open-coded. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to organize findings into themes.

Results

Sixteen participants (N = 16) were interviewed (seven mentors and nine mentees.) Three broad themes emerged: (i) pathways to the program; (ii) how connection occurred; and (iii) themes of compatibility. While program participants universally valued their match experience, frequency and mode of communication, as well as expectations of the match relationship were widely divergent among the program participants.

Conclusion

The W2W peer mentorship program is a valuable resource for patients with gynecologic cancer. Refining the wants and needs of mentees including mode of communication, frequency of communication, type of support desired, identifying topics of mutual interest, and introducing the concept of recurrence may improve the connectivity experienced by mentor–mentee dyads.

Peer Experiences of Military Spouses with Children with Autism in a Distance Peer Mentoring Program: A Pilot Study

Previous research has indicated military families with children with autism reported significant difficulties when relocating with their child with autism. One possible relocation support for these families is an online peer mentorship program with another military spouse with a child with autism who has more relocation experience. The purpose of this pilot investigation was to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and collect initial outcome data for an online peer mentorship program for military spouses with children with autism. Results from this study indicated an online peer mentorship program is feasible, and may be a helpful program to support military spouses with children with autism before relocations.

Perspectives of oncology nurses on peer support for patients with cancer

PURPOSE

To understand the perspectives of oncology nurses on peer support for patients with cancer and the role of oncology nurses in its provision.

METHOD

Thematic semi-structured interviews of 10 oncology nurses working in a single university hospital were conducted. The data were analysed using content analysis.

RESULTS

Oncology nurses thought that peer support promotes the psychosocial wellbeing of patients with cancer by increasing their social contact and strengthening their emotional resources. In their daily work, oncology nurses engaged in several activities that promote the interactions between patients with cancer and informal forms of peer support. However, directing patients with cancer to formal peer support services outside specialised health care was not an established practice. Oncology nurses expressed several concerns about the availability of support and the coping ability of peer supporters and expressed scepticism about the reliability of information shared in peer support groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The awareness of oncology nurses regarding formal peer support services appears rather limited. This knowledge gap should be reduced, such as through closer collaboration between hospitals and third sector cancer organisations, which does not appear effective at present based on the results. In addition, patients with cancer should be systematically informed about peer support.

Improvement in quality of life and psychological well-being associated with a culturally based psychosocial intervention for Chinese American breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate improvements in quality of life and psychological well-being among Chinese American breast cancer survivors who participated in a pilot community education and peer-mentor support program.

METHODS

One hundred and twenty-nine Chinese American breast cancer survivors who recently completed treatment participated in eight cohorts of the program, Joy Luck Academy, which included weekly education and peer-mentor support sessions. The education sessions covered topics designed to help participants adjust to new life after breast cancer treatment. The peer-mentor support component was designed to provide social support. Quality of life and psychological well-being (e.g., depressive symptoms, anxiety, and low- and high-arousal positive and negative affect) were assessed at baseline and immediately after the intervention.

RESULTS

Paired samples t tests indicated improvements in quality of life, low- and high-arousal positive affect, and reductions in depressive symptoms, anxiety, and low-arousal negative affect.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that a psychosocial group intervention may improve quality of life and psychological well-being among Chinese American breast cancer survivors. Our intervention has the potential to be applied to other ethnic-minority cancer survivors. Future randomized controlled trials are warranted.

Perceptions of care after end-of-treatment among younger women with different gynecologic cancer diagnoses - a qualitative analysis of written responses submitted via a survey

BACKGROUND

Less attention has been given to younger adults' psycho-oncology care needs than to children and older adults with cancer. The aim was to explore how care following end-of-treatment was perceived by women treated for different gynecologic cancer diagnoses during younger adulthood.

METHODS

A sample of 207 women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer 2008 to 2016, aged 19-39 at time of diagnosis answered one open-ended question regarding important aspects of care after end-of-treatment. The written responses were analyzed with manifest content analysis and presented in relation to the women's diagnoses, i.e., cervical (n = 130), ovarian (n = 57), and other gynecologic cancer diagnoses (n = 20).

RESULTS

The analysis resulted in three categories: Unmet long-term supportive care needs, Satisfying long-term supportive care, and Health care organizational difficulties. Over half of the women (66.7%) described unmet care needs. The corresponding figures were 80.7, 63.1 and 50% for women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and other gynecologic cancer diagnoses, respectively. Satisfying supportive care were described by approximately one quarter of the women (26.1%). Among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer 14% described satisfying supportive care. The corresponding figures were 26.9 and 30% for women diagnosed with cervical cancer and other gynecological diagnoses, respectively. Approximately one quarter of the women, irrespectively of diagnosis, described aspects related to health care organizational difficulties (28%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results highlight the importance of good quality care linked to the diagnosis and based on an understanding of the woman's need, desire and expectation of support after end-of-treatment.

Sexuality post gynaecological cancer treatment: a qualitative study with South African women

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated women's experiences of their sexuality post gynaecological cancer treatment. Using a holistic sexuality framework, the study explored how women felt their sexual functioning, sexual relationships and sexual identity had been affected by treatment.

DESIGN

The study was qualitative in nature and made use of an interpretive descriptive design. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

SETTING

Data collection took place at a follow-up clinic within the gynaeoncology unit at a public-sector tertiary hospital in Cape Town, South Africa.

PARTICIPANTS

Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants, and the final sample consisted of 34 women aged 29-70 ([Formula: see text]=52). All women had received a gynaecological cancer diagnosis and had been treated with either surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of these. On average, the participants were between 12 and 30 months post treatment.

RESULTS

Women expressed how their sexual functioning post treatment was both nuanced and complex, how heteronormative gender expectations influenced their intimate relationships, and how they experienced a re-embodiment of their sexual subjectivity post treatment. Participants felt that more sexual functioning information from healthcare providers, as well as peer support groups, would assist them in navigating the sexuality changes they experienced.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study broaden conceptualisations of sexuality post treatment by detailing the ways that it is complex, nuanced, relational and ever shifting. More research is needed about how to incorporate holistic psychosexual support post treatment into the public healthcare system in South Africa.

Patient ambassador support: Experiences of the mentorship between newly diagnosed patients with acute leukaemia and their patient ambassadors

Objective

The study explores how newly diagnosed patients with acute leukaemia and their patient ambassadors experience the mentorship during the patient ambassador support programme.

Methods

Explorative semi‐structured individual interviews (n = 28) were carried out in patients with acute leukaemia (n = 15) and their patient ambassadors (n = 13). Interpretive description was the methodological framework used for the thematic analysis of the qualitative interview data.

Results

Identified themes were as follows: (a) exchanging life experiences (subthemes: individualised support and a meaningful return); (b) existential cohesion; (c) interreflection; and (d) terms and conditions (subtheme: break in journey). Patients experienced a feeling of being understood, the cohesion leading to hope and a feeling of being able to cope with their situation. Patient ambassadors experienced a sense of meaningfulness and gratitude for life.

Conclusions

Patients and patient ambassadors experienced benefits from the individualised support. Their shared experiences created a connection and mutual mirroring, which led to a sense of hope and gratitude for life. Initiatives that introduce peer‐to‐peer support in newly diagnosed patients with acute leukaemia as part of treatment and in daily clinical practice are crucial. Future studies should further examine the feasibility of peer‐to‐peer support interventions along the trajectory of acute leukaemia.

Coping with fear of cancer recurrence among ovarian cancer survivors living in small urban and rural settings: A qualitative descriptive study

PURPOSE

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a paramount concern among ovarian cancer survivors. Evidence shows that cancer survivors living in regional or rural areas have higher psychological morbidity; however, no known studies have explored how ovarian cancer survivors living in small urban and rural areas cope with FCR.

METHODS

In this qualitative descriptive study, a semi-structured questioning process was developed in accordance with Carver et al.'s conceptualization of coping. Focus groups or 1:1 telephone interviews were used to collect data from a convenience sample of ovarian cancer survivors. Participants completed a demographic form and the Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory, and clinical information was extracted from hospital charts.

RESULTS

The average age of participants (n = 15) was 62.8 years (Range 51-76 years) and the average time since diagnosis was 2.7 years (Range 1-19 years). Most women had elevated levels of FCR. Five themes for coping were expressed by all women: 1) health care provider support; 2) knowing, trusting, and prioritizing self; 3) finding what works; 4) uniqueness and belonging; and 5) redirecting thoughts and actions. One additional theme was expressed by most women (n = 11): 6) preparing for the future.

CONCLUSION

Fear of cancer recurrence was a concern for most ovarian cancer survivors who used a variety of ways to cope. Results can be used to guide nurses' discussions with post-treatment ovarian cancer survivors or be used to inform refinement and development of resources to assist ovarian cancer survivors living in small urban and rural settings to cope with FCR.

Experiences of Low Mood in Young People With Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Young people with cancer are at increased risk of psychological difficulty; yet there is little research on their experiences of low mood or depressive symptoms to help inform treatment interventions. This qualitative study explored experiences and opinions of low mood or depression in young people with cancer, how their mood related to developmental challenges, strategies used to cope, and how services could improve support. Nineteen young people diagnosed and treated for cancer completed semistructured interviews. Transcripts were thematically analyzed using the framework approach, and analysis produced eight themes, organized into three domains: “A Harder Time of Life,” “Interpersonal Impact of Cancer,” and “Learning to Understand and Describe Low Mood,” Participants interviewed experienced low mood during cancer and predominantly felt “low mood” was a helpful term to describe their emotions. There were similarities and variations in their reported mood compared with clinical depression. The developmental challenges of being a young person with cancer negatively affected their mood. Participants used a variety of different coping strategies to manage these challenges. Young people were clear that they would like others to help them understand negative emotions experienced through cancer are normal to feel and support for low mood to be accessible and available.

The Role of Peer Support Group in Subjective Well-Being of Wives of War Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

This study aimed to investigate the effect of peer support group on subjective well-being (SWB) of wives of war veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Selected participants were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n = 40 for each group). The intervention group was divided into four subgroups, with each participating in 8 weekly based 1.5 hr peer support group sessions. SWB and its dimensions in the intervention group increased significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). Peer support group can be a useful tool to enhance SWB in spouses of war veterans with PTSD.

Effectiveness of peer support on health-related quality of life in recently diagnosed breast cancer patients: a randomized controlled trial

Purpose

Breast cancer is the most common cancer of Finnish women. Peer support could be a way to help breast cancer patients to deal with the disease but studies on its effectiveness have produced conflicting results. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to study the effectiveness of peer support on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of breast cancer patients.

Methods

Patients with recently diagnosed breast cancer at the Helsinki University Hospital were randomly allocated to intervention (n = 130) or control (n = 130) groups. The intervention group patients received peer support via telephone one to five times according to their preference. The control group received usual care only. HRQoL was assessed with generic (15D) and disease-specific (EORTC QLQ-30 and its breast cancer specific module BR23) instruments at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up points.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the patients was 60.0 (10.5) years and their baseline mean 15D score 0.922 (0.066). At baseline, the intervention and control groups did not differ from each other. During follow-up, the 15D score deteriorated statistically significantly (p < 0.001) and clinically importantly in both groups but slightly less in the intervention group although the difference was not significant. Regarding individual 15D dimensions, the EORTC-QLQ30, or its breast-specific module, peer support did not show any consistent advantage compared to usual care.

Conclusion

Peer support had no clear effect on the HRQoL of breast cancer patients.

"We're stronger if we work together": experiences of naturally occurring peer support in an inpatient setting

Background: Research on peer support in mental health inpatient settings has focussed on formalised programmes. Naturally occurring peer support - spontaneous interactions without structure or roles - has received little attention. Aims: This study aimed to provide a detailed picture of service-users' experiences of giving and receiving support in an acute inpatient setting, and possible challenges encountered in such interactions. Staff perceptions were obtained in order to provide another perspective. Method: Twelve service-users and seven staff took part in semi-structured interviews. Braun and Clarke's method of thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts. Results: Service-users described a range of supportive interactions that were highly valued; themes included "Responding to distress", "Talking about personal stuff" and "We're stronger if we work together". They also described challenges and barriers, such as having to "tread carefully" and "personal difficulties", which made it difficult to engage in giving and receiving peer support. Staff accounts were broadly consistent with those of service-users, but showed less understanding of the nature of peer support and emphasised its risks. Conclusions: Naturally occurring peer support should be a recognised aspect of an inpatient stay. Staff education and policy should focus on creating environments for it to flourish.

Oncology Volunteers: The Effect of a Personal Cancer History on Compassion and Psychological Well-Being

BACKGROUND

The impact of support work on volunteers with a personal history of cancer has rarely been examined, despite the possibility that supporting distressed individuals may become a psychological burden for someone who has faced a life-threatening disease themselves.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to compare compassion, self-compassion, self-coldness, and psychological well-being of oncology volunteers to the general population and clinical samples.

METHODS

Volunteers completed questionnaires on demographic and volunteer work-related characteristics, the Compassion Toward Others Scale, the Self-Compassion Scale, and the Psychological General Well-Being Index.

FINDINGS

Overall, volunteers indicated higher levels of self-compassion and psychological well-being and lower levels of self-coldness than clinical and community samples. Peer volunteers were less satisfied with their volunteer work and reported worse general health and psychological well-being than volunteers without a cancer history.

Adult cancer patients' perception of social support in non-profit electronic counselling services: a descriptive qualitative study

Background: Cancer patients may need to seek support from electronic sources because their needs are not fulfilled in the hospital settings.Objectives: The explore cancer patients' perception of social support in non-profit electronic counselling services.Design: A qualitative descriptive cross-sectional design.Methods: The data were collected from adult cancer patients who had utilized non-profit electronic counselling services. The interviews were conducted face-to-face or over the phone and analysed with inductive content analysis.Findings: Two patterns were identified: (1) a contact person that will ensure a personalized matching type of support to enhance patients' ability to cope with cancer if necessary and (2) deficient resources of the electronic counselling services to provide the matching type of support to enhance patients' coping with cancer.Conclusions: For patients to be able to successfully cope with their disease, it is essential that the electronic social support type matches each patient's specific needs.

Dealing with cancer: a meta-synthesis of patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in psychosocial interventions

The aim was to synthesise patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in a psychosocial intervention related to having cancer. The study was a meta-synthesis inspired by Noblit & Hare's 'meta-ethnography' approach. We systematically searched six databases and included 33 studies in the meta-synthesis. Inclusion criteria were qualitative studies with relevance to the synthesis topic. The meta-synthesis conceptualised the way in which participants develop their way of living with cancer, and the role psychosocial interventions play in helping them to live through the illness. Five themes symbolising the participants' core experiences were identified: (1) Emotional relief and a sense of well-being, (2) normalisation of experiences and a sense of control, (3) shared experience and a sense of community, (4) a safe place and (5) transformation and adaptability. The findings indicated that psychosocial interventions were used to try to deal with the changes in the human conditions caused by cancer. Sharing their experiences and forming social relationships helped the participants adapt to cancer. An existential perspective may provide a nuanced understanding of patients' and relatives' experiences of participating in psychosocial interventions.

The effect of peer support groups on family adaptation from the perspective of wives of war veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of peer group support on family adaptation of wives of war veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

DESIGN AND SAMPLE

In this randomized controlled trial, 80 wives of war veterans with PTSD were incorporated, and selected participants were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n = 40 per group). The intervention group was divided into four subgroups, with each participating in eight weekly based 1.5-hr peer support group sessions and the control group received no intervention.

MEASURES

Demographics form and Family Adaptation Scale (FAS) developed by Antonovsky and Sourani (1988) were applied.

RESULTS

The total mean scores of family adaptation increased significantly more in the intervention group than in the control group (p = .033). Furthermore, the time × group interaction effects were significant for internal family fit (p = .013) and a combination of both family fit and family community fit (p = .020) dimensions. Nonetheless family fit dimensions mean scores had no significant increase in the intervention group than the control group over time (p = .948).

CONCLUSIONS

Peer support group can be a useful tool for health care professionals to enhance family adaptation in spouses of war veterans with PTSD.

Involvement of patients with lung and gynecological cancer and their relatives in psychosocial cancer rehabilitation: a narrative review

INTRODUCTION

Getting cancer is stressful for most patients and their relatives, and research has shown that psychosocial support is needed. Still, cancer care fails to appropriately address psychosocial problems associated with cancer. Research on this topic is often seen from the perspective of either the patient or the relative, even though it is suggested that psychosocial support is beneficial for the patient and the relative as a pair. Furthermore, research on the need for psychosocial support rarely involves patients with gynecological and lung cancer and their relatives, even though they often suffer from isolation and stigmatization. The aim of this review was therefore to summarize knowledge about psychosocial support with regard to individual needs, involvement of significant others, and providers of psychosocial support focusing on this specific population.

METHOD

A narrative review procedure was chosen. This method is a specific kind of review, which summarizes, explains, and interprets evidence on a selected topic. The review process was structured according to typical scholarly articles with attention to the search and review process.

RESULTS

A total of 16 studies were included in the review. The studies were divided into two main categories: (1) studies focusing on needs for psychosocial support; and (2) studies focusing on interventions. The needs studies were analyzed, and three themes emerged: the needs of the patient and the significant other across the cancer trajectory; the needs of the significant other as a carer; and needs and ongoing and tailored support. The intervention studies were directed toward the patient and the relative, the patient, or the relative. Five interventions comprising various forms of support that were purely supportive and were carried out by healthcare professionals were identified.

CONCLUSION

There were overlaps between the needs of the patient and the relative, but there were also distinctive characteristics of the needs in the two groups. The needs varied during the cancer trajectory, and we therefore recommend that support be offered continuously. It was also evident that the relatives should be involved in the patients' care and that the involvement was beneficial for both the patient and the relative.

Psychosocial distress in women diagnosed with gynecological cancer

Many women with gynecological cancer report psychosocial distress, and clarification of the risks, vulnerabilities, and protective factors is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the lived experience of gynecological cancer patients and to understand the factors that underlie psychosocial distress. Semi-structured interviews with seven women diagnosed with gynecological cancer revealed the role of social support, or its absence, selective withholding of information, and existential loneliness in women’s experience of distress. Social support provided a buffer against distress, while feelings of alienation and being alone exacerbated distress. Interventions to address these concerns may lead to improved quality of life for this patient group.

Toward structured peer support interventions in oncology: a qualitative insight into the experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors providing peer support

PURPOSE

Research into dyadic (one-to-one) peer support has predominantly focused on the recipients of peer support whilst neglecting the impact on the peer support providers (PSPs). Increasingly, structured/protocolised peer support interventions are employed. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of providing peer support within a protocolised intervention and how common key characteristics of such interventions (guidelines and checklists, rigorous training and partnerships with health professionals) may influence PSPs' experiences. This research was conducted within the context of an ongoing randomised controlled trial investigating a protocolised peer support intervention (the Peer and Nurse support Trial to Assist women in Gynaecological Oncology (PeNTAGOn) study).

METHODS

Eleven women (gynaecological cancer survivors) providing peer support within the PeNTAGOn study participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.

RESULTS

Five key themes were identified which described the overall experience of providing protocolised peer support: (i) fitting oneself to the protocolised PSP role, (ii) the impact of personal beliefs about the value of research, (iii) protocolisation as both blessing and curse, (iv) discussing taboo or sensitive topics and (v) the impact of interactions with study personnel.

CONCLUSIONS

These insights into the advantages and disadvantages of protocolised peer support can be used to inform future research and social support programs and maximise the effectiveness of such programs for patients, PSPs and the health-care system.

Coping With Cancer: Examining the Supports Available to Women With Gynecologic Cancer at Saskatoon Cancer Center

Objective

When women are diagnosed and treated for gynecologic cancer, they must find ways to cope. Cancer is both a physically and emotionally challenging disease. This study aims to identify existing coping strategies in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer throughout their cancer journey and to add to these supports to help women cope with their cancer.

Methods

Women with gynecologic cancer were interviewed individually according to focus group principles during scheduled clinic visits at Saskatoon Cancer Center to identify coping strategies following diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Interviews were used to inform researchers before preparing a survey about coping with cancer. During 8 weeks, women receiving care were surveyed. Questions explored diagnosis, therapy phase, feelings, attitudes, and support.

Results

Sixteen women were interviewed; questionnaires were distributed to 75 women with cervical (20.7%), uterine (22.2%), ovarian (60.3%), and vulvar cancer (1.6%). After diagnosis, the major support was family in 96.8%, and talking helped in 71.4%. All women found their gynecologic oncologist and nurse were easy to talk to/supportive. Only 12.7% attended counseling, 17.5% attended workshops/patient education sessions, and 9.5% attended support groups. Reasons for not receiving supportive counseling were voiced. A small number of alternative therapies tried by 60.3% were deemed helpful in 97.4%. Parking at the cancer center was a stressor in 81%. Participants felt that the Saskatoon gynecologic cancer care team fulfilled their needs emotionally. Patients want information about workshops, support meetings, and other modalities to improve their quality of life during their cancer journey.

Conclusion

Providing better quality and type of available supports may enhance the experience of women following diagnosis and during therapy for cancer and will help women to cope with cancer more effectively.

Patient perspectives on the usefulness of routine telephone follow-up as psychosocial support for hematologic malignancies: Australian findings

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES

To explore the use of routine telephone follow-up as a supportive care strategy for patients with hematologic malignancies from the patients' perspectives.

RESEARCH APPROACH

A qualitative design based on a series of open-ended interviews and one focus group.

SETTING

Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland, Australia.

PARTICIPANTS

50 participants recruited from the Leukaemia Foundation of Queensland database that represented a sample of major diagnostic groups, age, gender, and geographic location of patients with hematologic malignancies.

METHODOLOGIC APPROACH

Interviews and focus groups were open-ended and were recorded, transcribed verbatim, coded, and thematically analyzed to form the basis of the findings.

FINDINGS

The majority of participants in the study saw a perceived benefit in regular telephone follow-up as a supportive care service. Benefits included the positive aspects of individualized attention, potential support created for those not open to conventional types of support, and the positive effects of allowing support organizations to keep track of patient progress. However, some participants did not want to receive regular telephone follow-up support because of a desire to move on and access to other support through friends, family, or healthcare professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from the current study affirm previous research. Attitudes toward a telephone follow-up support service vary from patient to patient. Research demonstrates that patients with cancer responded with attitudes that range from favorable to unfavorable toward the benefits and usefulness of telephone support.

INTERPRETATION

Oncology nurses provide supportive care for patients with hematologic malignancies, and they serve as a key professional group to provide follow-up telephone supportive care. Based on the findings from the current article, oncology nurses who provide supportive care should be aware of differing attitudes among patients with hematologic malignancies toward telephone follow-up support. Nurses participating in support initiatives should recognize the notion of patient receptivity and how it affects telephone support strategies.

Chinese women living with cervical cancer in the first 3 months after diagnosis: a qualitative study

BACKGROUND

An earlier study revealed that Mainland Chinese women experienced a relatively low health-related quality of life during the first 3 months after being diagnosed with cervical cancer. This merited conducting a qualitative study to explore their experiences during this period.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of Chinese women with cervical cancer in the first 3 months after diagnosis.

METHODS

A descriptive phenomenological method was used. Fourteen participants were interviewed at the time of diagnosis and 10 were reinterviewed 3 months later. The number of interviews conducted was determined by data saturation.

RESULTS

Five themes were discerned: dealing with the emotional chaos down to the hassles caused by the disease and its treatment, handling the diagnosis and the disease in my own way and in accordance with Chinese culture, instinctively depending on my partner and experiencing improved relationships within the family but no sexual life, sharing information and support with fellow patients but hiding the diagnosis from friends and acquaintances, and returning to previous existence wanting to be treated as normal but with changed attitudes to life.

CONCLUSIONS

The lived experience was seen as a sudden life transition triggered by receiving the diagnosis. Cultural and societal contexts influenced patient adaptation to the situation.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Family members and fellow patients could be mobilized to help patients since their support was highly valued. Regarding their hope for an ordinary life, patients could benefit from the relief of adverse effects and information, for instance, on how to resume sexual activity.

Psychosocial services for couples in infertility treatment: what do couples really want?

OBJECTIVES

To describe the psychosocial supports that infertile couples desire to help cope with infertility-related distress, which psychosocial services they sought, and the benefits and drawbacks of these services.

METHODS

Qualitative interview study with 32 heterosexual infertile couples seeking infertility treatment. Maximum variation sampling was used; data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Most couples desired psychosocial support, but only half of the sample sought support. Some couples met with psychologists for help with relationship conflict and coping strategies. Participants suggested peer mentoring to fulfill needs for coping, shared experience, and guidance through the treatment process. Couples also desired written information about practical and emotional aspects of treatment. Negative attitudes toward psychological counseling and a lack of information about support services prevented some couples from seeking support.

CONCLUSIONS

Infertile couples expressed numerous needs for psychosocial supports, but often felt that supports were not available. A variety of services should be offered in order to fulfill patients' varied needs.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Awareness of the reasons why patients desire psychosocial services will help clinicians to refer patients to currently available psychosocial supports, and will aid in the development of appropriate supports, including couples counseling, peer mentoring, and written information in lay language.