Search

Introduction: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients have several unmet needs. The needs and quality of life of MBC women living in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are understudied. Facilitating the interaction of various caregivers is beneficial in addressing the needs. Internet-based resources play an important role in reaching out to these patients. We aimed to bring the various stakeholders into a joint network force, create a web-based portal, understand the needs of MBC patients, and assess the utilization of web-based resources for women from Kenya. Methods: A network of various stakeholders considered crucial in the care of Kenyan women with MBC was created. We conducted educational camps and assessed their needs, quality of life (QoL), and knowledge. We assessed the impact of utilizing web-based resources by MBC patients from here. Results: We formed a network involving partners and launched the first dedicated website for MBC from Kenya. The website has received 13,944 visits and 310,379 hits in 2 years. One hundred fourteen women living with MBC were interviewed, and our findings show that psychological needs (63%), physical support needs (60%), and health care system needs (55%) are leading areas of needs that increase with rural residence (p = 0.001), less education (p = 0.003), and aggressive treatments (p = 0.008). Quality of life (QoL) confirmed better scores with urban residence (p = 0.002), internet access (p = 0.010), and stable disease (p = 0.042). Conclusions: Creating a network of caregivers provides opportunities for cohesive efforts in understanding the psychosocial and medical needs of patients with MBC. Internet-based resources are an effective way of reaching out to them. Kenyan patients show extremely good uptake of internet-based resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While many women turn to the Internet to obtain health information, it is unlikely that unstructured Internet use provides optimal benefit to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, due to uneven quality, conflicting claims, redundancy, and search engine idiosyncrasies, which may make finding information and assessing its accuracy and applicability difficult. To answer the need for information and support, the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System (CHESS) was developed to provide access to integrated information for decision-making, behavior change, and emotional support, and has been validated in randomized trials. This observational study of real-world implementation focuses on the process of integrating CHESS into standard care in two Denver healthcare systems. Results from this study provide guidance for implementation of other web-based patient information and support programs in large healthcare organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of women with breast cancer are seeking alternatives to standard group support in coping with their illness. This study examines outcomes for 181 women with breast cancer randomized to either a 12-week standard group support or a 12-week complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) support intervention. Participants in the CAM group were taught the use of meditation, affirmation, imagery and ritual. The standard group combined cognitive-behavioral approaches with group sharing and support. Both interventions were found to be associated with improved quality of life (CAM, P=0.008; Standard, P=0.006), decreased depression (CAM, P=0.004; Standard, P=0.02), decreased anxiety (CAM, P=0.0003; Standard, P=0.02) and increased “spiritual well-being” (CAM, P=002; Standard, P=0.003). Only the CAM group showed increases in measures of Spiritual Integration (P=0.001) which were also significant between groups (P=0.003). The Standard group was associated with decreased confusion (P=0.01) and decreased helplessness/hopelessness (P=0.01), while the CAM group was associated with decreased avoidance (P=0.01). None of these latter changes were significant between groups. At baseline, very high correlations were noted between measures of quality of life, mood, and spiritual integration. At the end of the intervention, the CAM group showed higher satisfaction (P=0.006) and fewer dropouts (P=0.006) compared to the standard group. Better outcomes in quality of life in the CAM group were associated with lower initial fighting spirit (r=−.39, P=0.001). No baseline factors predicted better outcomes in the Standard group. In summary, the study found equivalence on most psychosocial outcomes between the two interventions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes practice applications of videoconferencing technologies in two settings. In Korea, people who live in areas which lack social welfare expertise receive services such as education, counseling, diagnostic assessment, and therapy through a system linking the central site with three service agencies in three different cities. In the United States, an interactive video breast cancer support group links women in three distant communities monthly. Evaluative feedback concerning these applications from professional and lay users will be reviewed in detail. Implications for the use of videoconferencing in social work practice will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]