Congress Abstracts 2003

89

AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO UTILIZING CANCER SURVIVORS IN TELEPHONE PEER SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR BREAST CANCER AND PROSTATE CANCER PATIENTS. Teresa Money McLaughlin, RN, MSN, AOCN^®, St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT.

While extensive work has been done in recent years addressing traditional cancer support groups, few projects have addressed the area of one-to-one telephone peer support provided by a cancer survivor. Patient support programs and support groups based in community hospital settings are, at times, difficult for patients to attend. Homebound status, debilitation by treatment, caregivers who have competing demands on their time, and lack of transportation are all obstacles for patients.

Two innovative programs were developed and implemented for prostate cancer and breast cancer patients. It was found to be cost efficient, highly effective, and very user friendly. Privacy was maintained and patient contacts served to diminish social isolation, anxiety, depression, and served varied ages and ethnic backgrounds.

The two programs developed focused on a peer support model utilizing cancer survivors greater than one year out of treatment. Each group of peer volunteers completed a 7-hour training program which included confidentiality, active listening skills, stress management, skills to handle problem callers, counseling skills, body image and sexuality, coping strategies, and active role play.

The two groups are self-sufficient and rotate frequency of calls. Contact with the APRN is maintained by several means; continuing education and training is provided every 6 months, and continual supervision and resource referrals are available daily with both groups.

Ongoing evaluation is done within the programs by the APRN and adaptations are implemented accordingly. Other benefits that have been seen are increased follow-up contact following procedures and surgeries, increased attendance in our traditional cancer support groups, empowerment of cancer survivors who are willing to volunteer some of their time to make a difference with a newly diagnosed breast or prostate cancer patient, excellent volunteer and participant satisfaction, and an increase in the APRN’s time utilization due to the availability of trained peer volunteers.