Acceptability and Usefulness of a Dyadic, Tailored, Web-Based, Psychosocial and Physical Activity Self-Management Program (TEMPO): A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Caregivers of men with prostate cancer report high burden, and there is a need to develop cost-effective programs to support them in their roles. This study reports on the acceptability of a dyadic, Tailored, wEb-based, psychosocial and physical activity (PA) self-Management PrOgram called TEMPO. TEMPO was accessed by a convenience sample of 19 men with prostate cancer and their caregivers (n = 18), as well as six health care professionals (HCPs). User feedback was gathered via semi-structured qualitative interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Most dyads were satisfied with TEMPO, particularly with the dyadic feature of TEMPO, the focus on goal setting to integrate self-management, and the extensive health library. The patients and caregivers motivated each other as they worked through TEMPO. Most goals to achieve during TEMPO pertained to increasing PA, followed by learning physical symptom management. One unanticipated benefit of TEMPO for the dyads was improved communication. HCPs agreed that TEMPO was a novel approach to online cancer self-management and they echoed the benefits reported by dyads. Key suggestions for improving TEMPO were to reduce repetition, tailor content, add more exercise ideas, and have more printing options. This study provides a strong foundation on which to plan a larger trial.

An Implementation Process Evaluation Based on an Integrated Psychosocial Support Program of Colorectal Cancer Couples in China: A Pilot Study

“…In reflexive monitoring, findings of improved communication between couples may be due to the program features that foster patient-spousal caregiver sharing, and offer online communication support. This is consistent with the findings of a web-based support program for prostate cancer patients and their caregivers [ 48 ]. Almost all participants were satisfied with the combination of face-to-face and online delivery because of the flexibility.…”

A study protocol for a multicenter randomized pilot trial of a dyadic, tailored, web-based, psychosocial, and physical activity self-management program (TEMPO) for men with prostate cancer and their caregivers

“…We posit that by targeting multiple risk factors of caregiver burden [ 5 , 6 ], and combining the best evidence in terms of coping skills, PA training, and self-management, TEMPO has a great potential impact on clinical outcomes. In addition, the design and evaluation of this pilot trial was informed by the Medical Research Council’s (MRC) framework for complex interventions [ 93 , 94 ], and is based on extensive prior development work, including the engagement of key stakeholders [ 26 ].…”

“…Based on other studies [ 30 , 40 ] and our data from the initial acceptability of TEMPO [ 26 ], it is assumed that 40% of dyads approached will be ineligible, 40% will refuse participation, 15% will not return their baseline survey, and 25% will be lost to follow-up. Accordingly, 260 dyads will need to be approached to reach the target sample size 40 dyads (20 per group) at the 3-month follow-up [ 41 ].…”

“…Once dyads identify their needs, they use the appropriate factsheets to get ideas for self-management strategies to address these and set their goals accordingly. When and how much: Participants are advised to wait approximately 2 weeks in-between each module, to pace their learning; however, based on our initial acceptability study [ 26 ], each module becomes immediately available upon completion of the preceding module. In the event that participants are completing the modules at a slower than expected pace (2 weeks per module), a reminder email is sent to check-in and offer additional support.…”

“…Our team recently concluded a qualitative study evaluating the acceptability and usefulness of TEMPO to facilitate patient–caregiver dyads’ access to QOL-enhancing support and information, tailored to their needs [ 26 ]. The findings of this study emphasized that cancer patients and their caregiving partners were satisfied with both TEMPO ’s dyadic approach (e.g., joint goal setting to integrate self-management skills to cancer care) and the extensive informal support it provided.…”