A Private Caregiver ListServ: Maximum Benefit for Minimum Cost

Abstract

A private ListServ was created as a psychosocial intervention for the caregivers of the brain tumor patients in a large metropolitan cancer center. Caring for someone with a brain tumor can be quite challenging, and the day-to-day responsibilities restrict the amount of discretionary time allotted the caregiver. Consequently, they can become isolated and overwhelmed. It was conceived that, for convenience sake, a ListServ might be the solution to best serve this population. The hope being that sharing with their peers would lessen the isolation and validate their own experience, decreasing their fear and anxiety. This was all possible for less than a dollar a day.

Learning and Networking: Utilization of a Primary Care Listserv by Pharmacists

“…[7][8][9][10][11] Listserv communication has been used in different ways within the health care system, including caregiver support, peer support for individuals with various diseases, and as an information-sharing tool for health care professionals. [8][9][10]12,13 The latter have used listservs for networking, for sharing resources, and for accessing the expert opinions of colleagues. 11 Research has shown that listservs for health care professionals are valuable resources that aid in the preparation of educational presentations, that alter policies or documentation, and that help shape practices or systems.…”

Neuro-Oncology Family Caregiving: Review and Directions for Future Research

“…Themes of discussion were similar to data generated from descriptive qualitative studies and included cognitive problems in the care recipient, practical issues and caregiver burden. Lucas et al [26] reviewed an on-line support group for caregivers of persons with a PMBT. They reported that at three years after implementation, on-line exchanges became more regular and thoughtful and were one of the only studies to include a discussion of the cost of the intervention.…”

“…Data from intervention studies highlight additional issues for future work. Lucas [26] described the cost of implementing and maintaining an online support group; future intervention studies should include a cost analysis to inform translation into clinical practice. Findings from Keir's [45] work emphasize that although caregivers are distressed, they may not take advantage of opportunities to relieve that stress.…”

Social Media and Oncology: The Past, Present, and Future of Electronic Communication Between Physician and Patient

“…The collective nature of this message distribution can instill a sense of community, to the point that listservs have been invoked as a means of psychosocial intervention to help cancer patients and their caregivers lessen their isolation through contact with their peers 8,9 .…”