Evaluating a nurse-led survivorship care package (SurvivorCare) for bowel cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Abstract

BackgroundColorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer affecting both men and women in Australia. The illness and related treatments can cause distressing adverse effects, impact on emotional and psychological well-being, and adversely affect social, occupational and relationship functioning for many years after the end of treatment or, in fact, lifelong. Current models of follow-up fail to address the complex needs arising after treatment completion. Strategies to better prepare and support survivors are urgently required. We previously developed a nurse-led supportive care program (SurvivorCare) and tested it in a pilot study involving 10 CRC survivors. The intervention was found to be highly acceptable, appropriate, relevant and useful.Methods/designThis study is a multisite, randomised controlled trial, designed to assess the impact of the addition of the SurvivorCare intervention to usual post-treatment care, for people with potentially cured CRC. SurvivorCare comprises the provision of survivorship educational materials, a tailored survivorship care plan, an individually tailored nurse-led, face-to-face end of treatment consultation and three subsequent telephone calls. Eligible patients have completed treatment for potentially cured CRC. Other eligibility criteria include stage I to III disease, age greater than 18 years and adequate understanding of English. All consenting patients complete questionnaires at three time points over a six-month period (baseline, two and six months). Measures assess psychological distress, unmet needs and quality of life.DiscussionThis supportive care package has the potential to significantly reduce individual suffering, whilst reducing the burden of follow-up on acute cancer services through enhanced engagement with and utilisation of general practitioners and community based services. If the intervention is successful in achieving the expected health benefits, it could be disseminated readily. All training and supporting materials have been developed and standardised. Furthermore, the intervention could easily be adapted to other cancer or chronic disease settings.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ACTRN12610000207011.

Doctor, What Are My Options? a Prospective Cohort Study of an Individualized Care Plan for Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer

“…Although the literature investigating the utility of survivorship care plans is increasing, information needs at the time of diagnosis are quite different, limiting the generalizability of that literature to our patient population [24][25][26] . In our study, qol was increased at the follow-up assessment in patients who received the care plan.…”

Patients’ Vulnerability in Follow-up After Colorectal Cancer

“…Through the initial systematic literature search, the Australian nurse-led intervention ''SurvivorCare'' came to our attention. 7,16 SurvivorCare currently seems to be the most comprehensive nurse-led intervention regarding follow-up among patients with colorectal cancer. A vital component of the intervention is to encourage adoption of self-care behaviors, including health promotion, which is likely to result in psychological, social, and physical well-being and in lower levels of distress and better quality of life.…”

“…The intervention is tested in a comprehensive ongoing national randomized controlled trial, involving several Australian hospitals. 7 If the intervention is successful in achieving the expected health benefits, it seems to be an essential contribution to the development of nurse-led, patient-centered follow-up programs.…”

Care Technologies in Nursing for People with Colorectal Neoplasia: Integrative Review

“…Two of them implemented and evaluated education programs and evaluated the impact of this intervention on patients with colorectal cancer in of after treatment [21]- [49]. A third study after evaluating the quality of life of the clients conducted counseling and discussion about their clinical condition [50].…”