ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although considerable attention has been directed toward cancer support groups, little is known about how often these services are actually used in clinical practice or the factors that influence participation. PURPOSE: Drawing in part on the Health Belief Model, this study examined group participation and its correlates among 425 patients with diverse malignancies treated at a large academic oncology center. METHOD: Patients were surveyed regarding utilization rates, health beliefs, and medical and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Only a small number of patients reported having participated in groups (8.0%). Consistent with the model, in univariate analyses, participation was significantly related to greater perceptions of illness severity (p < .0001), greater perceived benefits (p < .01), fewer perceived barriers (all p < .01), and greater cues for action (i.e., recommendation by family/friends, p < .000001). In multivariate analyses controlling for disease site and other covariates, the strongest predictors included recommendation by family/friends (OR = 5.04; CI = 1.98-12.81), perceived seriousness of the illness (OR = 4.07; CI = 1.42-11.60), and geographical residence (OR = 2.74; CI = 1.09-6.93). CONCLUSION: Results suggest that participation might be increased by involving the patient's support network, improving access in underserved rural communities, addressing illness appraisals, and increasing outreach to certain diagnostic groups.
Subject(s)
Culture , Neoplasms/psychology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/psychology , Rural Population , Self-Help Groups/statistics & numerical data , Sick Role , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arkansas , Caregivers/psychology , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Health Services Accessibility/statistics & numerical data , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasms/epidemiology , Patient Acceptance of Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Rural Population/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
Group interventions for cancer patients have commanded notable interest among investigators, but utilization rates are low and little is known about the features that patients themselves deem most important. The authors examined the views of potential participants, among 425 patients with diverse malignancies. A large number (64.6%) expressed interest, although few had attended a group. Preferences were strongest for interventions convened during diagnostic or active treatment periods rather than later, and those focusing on medical education or health-promotion, rather than emotional support or coping. Most were amenable to drop-in formats and to heterogeneous membership. In subgroup analyses, preferences were associated with disease site and not strongly related to psychosocial or demographic predictors. Understanding patient preferences may be critical for successful program development and utilization.
