Congress Abstracts 2004

40

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY-BASED CANCER RESOURCES IN A RURAL SETTING. Cynthia Cantril, RN, MPH, Big Sky Cancer Recovery and Resource Center, Inc., Belgrade, MT, and Pamela Haylock, RN, MA, self-employed, Medina, TX.

Oncology nurse leaders, based on public health principles of equity, participation, and involvement of communities in decision making about health services, identified key members of the community and initiated development of a community-based resource center.

We have discovered not only many rewards but also political nuances to be negotiated in the delicate processes of relationship building to establish a valuable and viable community resource to serve cancer survivors.
Cancer diagnoses in rural settings present unique access challenges that are documented in the literature such as expert cancer care providers, current treatment information, clinical trials, rehabilitation, and patient/family psychosocial support. The difficulties that rural dwellers encounter as they attempt to piece together cancer treatment and supportive care plans from the meager resources in their settings is rarely noted. The Cancer Recovery and Resource Center (the Center) represents one rural community’s response to unmet informational and supportive care needs.

Oncology nurse leaders, based on public health principles of equity, participation, and involvement of communities in decision-making about health services, identified key members of the community and initiated development of a community-based resource center. Center leaders used data generated in community focus groups to identify four programming priorities: (1) a navigator who would guide information-seeking, decision-making, and problem-solving processes, (2) well-run support groups, (3) immersion retreats for survivors and caregivers, and (4) equine-facilitated therapy adapted to the needs of survivors.

Since its incorporation in 2001, The Center’s novice board of directors crafted by-laws, position descriptions, and policies and procedures, along with hiring staff and coordinating volunteer efforts. The Center has also been the beneficiary of numerous community-based fund-raising events. Seed financing for the navigator role has been contributed by the community’s sole hospital. Support for The Center’s programs in general and the Navigator role in particular by local physicians has been mixed but is increasing over time. During its first full year of operation, The Center has served 53 navigational clients, completed seven referrals to regional and national centers of excellence and clinical trials, and served over 500 participants through ongoing support groups.

While the processes of development and implementation have met with many successes, there have also been both anticipated and unanticipated complexities. We believe our experience is useful to nurse leaders pursuing establishment of community-based cancer recovery and resource programs.