A qualitative study of breast cancer self‐help groups

Abstract

SUMMARYThis study reports on the experience of women in four community breast cancer self-help groups in Ontario, Canada. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 women, asking them about benefits and limitations of their group involvement, and about their perspectives on group processes and structures. Overall, participants reported their group involvement to be extremely helpful for navigating the short and long-term impact of breast cancer. Emotional support benefits included connecting with other breast cancer survivors, feeling understood and sharing experiences, providing hope, and sharing healing laughter. Informational and practical support benefits included sharing of important information and learning how to get what you want. Even where there were concerns about limitations or tensions of group experience, these occurred against a backdrop of appreciation and commitment. From the discussion of group processes and structures, a number of issues were identified as problematic. Most notable were how to deal with deaths of group members and how to balance the group's primary purpose of providing mutual support with secondary goals of dealing with group business and engaging in meaningful advocacy.

Caring for the caregivers: Innovative program for oncology nurses

“…En particulier, des bénéfices comparables ont été évoqués par des patients atteints du cancer relativement aux groupes d'entraide (Gray, Fitch, Davis et Phillips, 1997a;Gray, Fitch, Davis et Phillips, 1997b ainsi que des illustrations pouvant servir à normaliser et à valider les émotions ou les réactions. Lorsqu'un animateur sait bien utiliser cet outil pour le travail en groupe, cette approche peut être très efficace.…”

Cadre des soins de soutien

“…Les concepts inclus dans le cadre ont, depuis, été validés au moyen d'entrevues détaillées réalisées auprès de patients et de survivants à propos de leurs expériences face au cancer, à son traitement et de la vie en présence des répercussions du traitement (Gould, James, Gray et Fitch, 2003;Gray, Greenberg, Fitch, Sawka et Hampson, 1998;Gray, Fitch, Davis et Phillips, 1997;Gray, Fitch, Phillips et Labrecque, 2000;; au moyen de sondages auprès des patients au sujet de leurs besoins et de leur satisfaction à l'égard des soins reçus (Ashbury, Findley, Reynolds et McKerracher, 1998); et au moyen de discussions avec des prestataires de soins en cancérologie relativement à l'expérience qu'ils ont de la satisfaction des besoins des patients (Supportive Care Steering Group, 2004;Fitch et Turner, 2004). Les concepts figurent régulièrement dans la documentation scientifique et, depuis une décennie, constituent le point de mire d'initiatives de recherche de plus en plus nombreuses (Institut national du cancer du Canada, 2005).…”

Neuroticism and responses to social comparison among cancer patients

“…It appeared that a large majority of patients indicated they had compared themselves with the patients in the interviews, and found these interviews quite helpful. Cancer patients often report that the kind of information they receive from fellow patients is unique, and that only fellow patients realize what they are going through (Gray, Fitch, Davis, & Phillips, 1997).…”