C11
Patients views of benefits and disadvantages of cancer support groups: influence of gender and prognosis
Gunn Grande
University of Manchester, UK
Background
There is strong evidence that support groups can benefit cancer patients. However, only a minority of patients attend groups. Research shows that patients likelihood of attending is associated with their perceptions of groups. By understanding these perceptions and how they vary by patient characteristics and disease stage, we can better target patient information about groups and increase the likelihood of attendance for patients that would benefit.
Method
Patients with lung (14), colorectal (17), bladder (3) or breast cancer (18) were purposively sampled from support groups and oncology outpatient clinics (total n=52). Of these 28 were support group members, 18 were men, and the prognosis of 25 could be classified as pessimistic. Semi-structured interviews exploring patients views of support groups were conducted, transcribed and subjected to thematic framework analysis.
Results
Patients positive and negative views of groups related to three dimensions, each with two poles; a source of information (help or threat), provider of a cancer community (support or entrapment); an opportunity for comparison with others (uplifting or depressing). Men predominantly focused on groups as a source of information, women were more likely to consider all dimensions. For patients with pessimistic prognosis, positive views of groups were more likely to be tempered by an awareness of potential exposure to deaths, deterioration or negative information from other patients within the groups. Only those whose prognosis could be classed as optimistic noted that groups may carry a risk of being trapped in a cancer community and failing to move on.
Conclusion
This study suggests a need to tailor information about groups differently to men and women. It also highlights the challenge of communicating and maintaining the positive benefits of information, mutual support and positive role models associated with groups, while negotiating the reality of death and disease progression of many members.
