Bioaraba Health Research Institute, Clinical Nursing and Community Health Research Group, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Araba Integrated Health Organisation, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain.
PLoS One. 2023 Feb 24;18(2):e0282018. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0282018. eCollection 2023.
Cancer survival has doubled and is likely to continue increasing in the near future. Cancer survivors experience long-term adverse effects, with associated psychological changes, and often they have needs that are yet to be met. Recognizing the lack of continuity-of-care initiatives for cancer survivors and caregivers, Osakidetza Basque Health Service has started to implement through primary care a peer-led active patient education program called "Looking after my health after cancer". This study explores how cancer survivors and their caregivers rate the experience of participating in the program, to what extent the program helps them understand and address their unmet felt needs, and helps them improve their activation for self-care and self-management.
A qualitative exploratory phenomenological study was conducted using five focus groups: four with cancer survivors (n = 29) and caregivers (n = 2), and one with peer leaders (n = 7). Narrative content analysis was performed using the constant comparison method, facilitated by Atlas-ti software. Descriptive analysis of sociodemographic and clinical data was performed. The study was developed according to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist.
Five main themes emerged from the content analysis: 1) satisfaction with the program as a positive learning experience; 2) peer sharing and learning ("if they can, so can I"); 3) fears prior to attending the program; 4) becoming more aware of unmet felt needs and feeling understood in the "new normal"; and 5) a more positive view of their experience, helping them become active in self-care and empowered in the self-management of their condition.
The peer education program has shown to have a positive impact on cancer survivors and caregivers. It is necessary to design, implement and evaluate interventions of this type to address unmet felt needs during cancer survivorship and improve their quality of life.
癌症患者的存活率已经翻了一番，并且在不久的将来可能还会继续增加。癌症幸存者会经历长期的不良影响，伴随心理变化，而且他们通常有尚未满足的需求。鉴于缺乏针对癌症幸存者及其照护者的连续护理计划，Osakidetza 巴斯克卫生服务机构开始通过初级保健实施一项由同伴主导的积极患者教育计划，称为“癌症后照顾我的健康”。本研究探讨了癌症幸存者及其照护者对参与该计划的体验的评价、该计划在多大程度上帮助他们理解和解决未满足的感觉需求，并帮助他们提高自我保健和自我管理的积极性。
采用五组焦点小组进行定性探索性现象学研究：四组为癌症幸存者（n = 29）及其照护者（n = 2），一组为同伴领袖（n = 7）。使用 Atlas-ti 软件通过恒定性比较法进行叙述内容分析。对社会人口统计学和临床数据进行描述性分析。该研究根据定性研究报告的统一标准（COREQ）清单进行。
内容分析得出五个主要主题：1）对作为积极学习体验的计划感到满意；2）同伴分享和学习（“如果他们可以，我也可以”）；3）参加计划前的恐惧；4）更加意识到未满足的感觉需求，并在“新常态”中感到被理解；5）对体验的更积极看法，帮助他们在自我保健中变得积极主动，并在疾病的自我管理中获得赋权。
同伴教育计划对癌症幸存者及其照护者产生了积极影响。有必要设计、实施和评估此类干预措施，以解决癌症存活期间未满足的感觉需求，并提高他们的生活质量。
