Improving the cancer adult patient support network (iCAN): a pilot study on a communication model and modified focus group

Frontiers in Psychology · 6 authors, 3 centres

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TL;DR

The intervention facilitated lifestyle changes in over half of participants and revealed that over 80% were unaware of cancer treatment side effects, with participants reporting maximum satisfaction.

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Four meetings were conducted, each with 12 adult cancer patients and four specialists, where participants chose discussion topics including emotional needs, pain management, nutrition, oral health, and dental hygiene. A satisfaction questionnaire was administered after each meeting. Results showed that over 50% of participants demonstrated a marked change in lifestyle and eating habits, and more than 80% were unaware of side effects of cancer treatments on the oral mucosa. Maximum satisfaction was reported at each meeting. Limitations include the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on patient access, potential bias from dominant participants, no recording of discussions, and the requirement for specialized personnel.

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other

SPECIALTY

oncology

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10627017

Improving the cancer adult patient support network (iCAN): a pilot study on a communication model and modified focus group

Frontiers in Psychology

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Background Many consider that cancer has the greatest impact of any disease in the world, and it can drastically limit patients’ quality of life. Combating such a life-threatening disease can pose many challenges to daily life, highlighted by demonstrating the need to discuss one’s health status within a focus group and encourage treatment compliance. Aim the purposes of this study were to share the authors’ experience of a modified focus group in an Oral Medicine Unit, termed “Improving Cancer Adult Patients Support Network” (iCAN), and to evaluate how effective communication could improve patients’ quality of life and empower them by virtue of enhanced knowledge and an awareness of cancer management. Methods the paper adhered to the COREQ checklist regarding its reporting procedures. The iCAN format was precisely reproduced four times with four groups, consisting of 12 adult male and female patients with solid cancers. They discussed several main topics relating to cancer treatment, as chosen by a majority of the participants. Four specialists were involved in the discussion of the selected topics The iCAN format was faithfully reproduced during each meeting, with the participants in the roles of moderator and health specialists. Finally, a satisfaction questionnaire was administered. Results the most reliable results demonstrated a marked change in lifestyle and eating habits in more than 50% of participants. More than 80% were unaware of the side effects of cancer treatments in general and the oral mucosa in particular. Each meeting reported a maximum degree of satisfaction experienced by the participants. Conclusion iCAN focus group meetings appear to have facilitated a process of narrative interviewing, thereby improving the doctor-patient relationship underlying the humanization of the care process. Keywords: oral medicine, focus group, cancer, communication, pain, dental hygiene, cancer treatments, empowering patients

CITATION EXPORT

Giuseppina Campisi, Monica Bazzano, Rodolfo Mauceri et al.. Improving the cancer adult patient support network (iCAN): a pilot study on a communication model and modified focus group. Frontiers in Psychology. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1223168

AUTHORS

6 · 3 CENTRES

Giuseppina Campisi, Monica Bazzano, Rodolfo Mauceri, Vera Panzarella, Gaetano La Mantia, Olga Di Fede

1Unit of Oral Medicine and Dentistry for Fragile Patients, Department of Rehabilitation, Fragility, and Continuity of Care, University Hospital Palermo, Palermo, Italy
2Department Di.Chir.On.S., University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
3Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, The University of Messina, Messina, Italy