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Reducing the unmet needs of patients with colorectal cancer: a feasibility study of The Pathfinder Volunteer Program
journal contribution
posted on 2007-03-01, 00:00 authored by M L Macvean, Vicki WhiteVicki White, S Pratt, S Grogan, R Sanson-FisherGOALS OF THE WORK: Many cancer patients experience unmet needs and elevated levels of anxiety and depression. This paper describes a volunteer-delivered intervention to reduce the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and presents findings from a feasibility study of this intervention. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The telephone-based intervention, called the Pathfinder Program, involves the assignment of volunteers to patients to assist them in addressing their needs as identified in questionnaires. Fifty-two patients with colorectal cancer were involved in the feasibility study, with 18 in the intervention. Sixty-two percent of the sample was male and the mean age was 64 years. Patients' needs were assessed using The Supportive Care Needs Survey, a colorectal cancer symptom checklist, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. All patients completed baseline questionnaires (Time 1) and 47 completed Time 2 questionnaires 3 months later. MAIN RESULTS: The most common needs were fear of the cancer spreading and returning, concerns about the worries of others, gas or wind, changes in weight, and bowel problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and pain. A statistically significant Time 1 to Time 2 decrease in supportive care needs and depression was found for the intervention group. CONCLUSIONS: The Pathfinder Program has been found to be feasible, acceptable for patients, and has the potential to reduce needs and depression. A larger, randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the impact of this program on colorectal symptoms and anxiety.
History
Journal
Support care cancerVolume
15Issue
3Pagination
293 - 299Publisher
SpringerLocation
Berlin, GermanyPublisher DOI
ISSN
0941-4355Language
engPublication classification
C1.1 Refereed article in a scholarly journalCopyright notice
2006, Springer-VerlagUsage metrics
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No categories selectedKeywords
Adaptation, PsychologicalAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnalysis of VarianceAnxietyColorectal NeoplasmsDepressionFeasibility StudiesFemaleHealth Services Needs and DemandHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeeds AssessmentPatient Acceptance of Health CareProgram EvaluationPsychiatric Status Rating ScalesResearch DesignSocial SupportSurveys and QuestionnairesTelephoneVolunteersScience & TechnologyLife Sciences & BiomedicineOncologyHealth Care Sciences & ServicesRehabilitationcolorectal cancerunmet needspsychosocialtelephone-based interventionPREVALENCEINTERVENTIONSASSESSMENTSTRIALCARE
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