Being a cancer patient doesn't mean it stops when you walk out of the hospital - patients and care managers perspectives of surviving cancer, living life telephone care management programme

Richardson, Alison., John, J., Armes, J. and Ream, E. (2009) Being a cancer patient doesn't mean it stops when you walk out of the hospital - patients and care managers perspectives of surviving cancer, living life telephone care management programme. ECCO 15th and 34th ESMO Multidisciplinary Congress, Berlin, Germany. 20 - 24 Sep 2009. (doi:10.1016/S1359-6349(09)70792-X).

Abstract

Background: Despite evidence that cancer survivors experience a range of unmet needs services remain poorly developed. Many questions remain about what form services should take, and who, where and how they should be delivered. This study sought to gain insight into, and understanding of, patients’ and care managers’ views of a newly established programme designed to respond to supportive care needs of patients who have recently completed treatment. The programme, entitled ‘Surviving Cancer, Living Life’ consists of telephone care management and at this stage of development involves patients with breast and prostate cancer. The programme has been developed and implemented through a partnership between Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Pfizer Health
Solutions.
Material and Methods: This study utilised a qualitative approach. A purposeful sample of 22 patients and 3 care managers involved in delivery were interviewed. Interviews explored reactions to the programme, nature of relationships developed with care manager, and perceived impact and outcomes of telephone support. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and subject to Framework Analysis.
Results: Perceptions of the programme were unequivocally positive – it appeared to answer a deep felt need for support at a period when patients felt vulnerable. It represented a new and strikingly positive experience of
healthcare in contrast to many of the inadequacies felt to be present in the traditional, routine approach to cancer care follow up. The programme met a need for emotional, practical and informational support and provided relational continuity and a point of access. It helped patients reframe their life and adjust to life after treatment. The form of delivery – based solely on telephone contact – was considered advantageous compared to face to face contact, particularly in terms of convenience, confidentiality and continuity.
Conclusions: The medium of the telephone appears to hold significant promise when designing services to meet the supportive care needs of patients as they adapt to life after finishing treatment.

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Contributors

Author: Alison. Richardson

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