Costs of an ostomy self‐management training program for cancer survivors

Abstract

A WOCN-led group self-help ostomy survivorship intervention provided affordable, effective, care to cancer survivors with ostomies.

A literature review of post‐treatment survivorship interventions for colorectal cancer survivors and/or their caregivers

“…These studies reported on a range of intervention types, according to their different intervention focus, which could be classified into CRC surveillance programme, 31,32 education (colostomy education, 33–37 psychosexual education, 38 psychoeducation, 39,40 healthy lifestyle education 41 ), psychosocial support, 42,43 supportive expression, 44,45 cognitive behavioural stress management (CBSM), 46 supportive care, 47–50 physical activity (PA) and/or dietary, 51–58 and survivorship care plan (SCP) 59,60 interventions. Detailed definitions of the interventions included are described in Table S1.…”

“…The studies that were included reported on various delivery formats, including face‐to‐face (one‐on‐one or in a group), 33–35,39–41,45,46,60 telephone, 36,38,42,48–50,56 web‐based, 58 and multiple combination with the following formats: face‐to‐face, telephone, home visit, home‐based, or web‐based 37,43,44,47,51–55,57,59 . These interventions were delivered by a range of health professionals, for example, nurse, therapist, doctor, oncologist, dietitian, psychologist, social worker, or trained research assistant.…”

“…Colostomy is one of the most common issues experienced by CRC patients, and patients living with a colostomy experienced a variety of ostomy‐related problems that negatively influenced their QOL, requiring more research to solve their ostomy‐related problems and needs 61 . The trials on ostomy education and management that were included were commonly delivered via face‐to‐face group or telephone, and ranged from three to eight weeks, 33–37 with two to seven courses mainly focused on ostomy self‐care (e.g., skin care, changing colostomy bags), peer support, psychosocial support, 33–37 healthy lifestyle, 33–35 and appropriate referral 36 . These interventions played a great role in CRC patient ostomy physical and psychosocial adjustment.…”

“…A single‐arm pilot ostomy self‐management training programme included five ostomy self‐care curricula designed for CRC survivors and their caregivers, which were effective at improving CRC patient activation, self‐efficacy, total health‐related QOL, physical well‐being, and social well‐being 33 . Economic analysis results of this self‐management training programme showed it was an affordable care option for cancer survivors with ostomies 34 . Another trial found that patients with a permanent colostomy, who received a 3‐week Expert Patient Programme delivered by trained expert patients, showed significant improvements in colostomy knowledge, self‐efficacy, and self‐management, as well as psychosocial adjustment 35 .…”

“…Among the trials in this domain, three also focused on partners' or caregivers' needs 33,34,38 . As cancer affects family caregivers as well as patients, future research should also consider partners or other caregivers involved in cancer survivorship care, to address partner‐related difficulties or caregiver burden 70 …”