Exploring the effectiveness of crisis counseling and psychoeducation in relation to improving mental well-being, quality of life and treatment compliance of breast cancer patients in Qatar

Abstract

BackgroundAn insufficient number of studies have been carried out in the Middle East to evaluate the role of structured psychotherapeutic interventions in enhancing breast cancer patients’ psychological well-being, quality of life and treatment compliance. This study has been designed to address this limitation by exploring the benefit of two structured psychotherapeutic interventions, crisis counseling and psychoeducation, in enhancing breast cancer patients’ psychological well-being, quality of life and treatment compliance in Qatar.MethodsA total of 201 women with early-stage breast cancer from the state of Qatar were recruited and randomized into either the control group or one of the treatment groups (crisis counseling or psychoeducation). Each of the two treatment interventions consisted of a total of six 60- to 90-minute sessions, which were provided over a period of 12 weeks. The short- and long-term benefits of the crisis counseling and psychoeducation interventions were evaluated in terms of improving patients’ psychological well-being, quality of life and treatment compliance by asking all the patients to complete the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21 item version (DASS-21) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life scale (QLQ-C30) instruments at different points in time and by monitoring their compliance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.ResultsThis study revealed that both of the study interventions, crisis counseling and psychoeducation, were effective in improving women’s psychological well-being and quality of life over time in comparison to the control group, but had no significant impact on patients’ compliance with treatment. In addition, the study showed that psychoeducation conferred a greater advantage than did the crisis counseling model, especially in improving women’s psychological well-being over time.ConclusionThis study is considered the first of its kind in Qatar to provide evidence on the benefit of crisis counseling and psychoeducation interventions in improving the psychological well-being and quality of life of women with early-stage breast cancer in Qatar. In addition, this study has provided innovative research that can be used as evidence to propose changes to the psychotherapy services for breast cancer patients in Qatar. This research study aims to provide a first step toward further research in the future, which will hopefully lead to a better health care system for cancer patients in Qatar.

Psychological Counseling of Clients in Crisis Situations

“…Crisis counseling is a specific type of psychological counseling that provides psychological support and assistance to a healthy but emotionally, intellectually and physically exhausted person in difficult, challengingcircumstances. Al-Sulaiman et al, (2018), in an empirical study of crisis situations in women with high anxiety and depression confirmed a positive impact of crisis counseling and psychoeducation on them.…”

The structure and contents of the helping relationship as a nursing psychotherapeutic intervention: A modified e‐Delphi study

“…Among the different therapies and techniques used, counseling emerges in the aforementioned study as a technique, derived from humanistic therapy (as with the HR is), capable of diminishing the previously mentioned negative emotions. In contrast, Al‐Sulaiman et al 35 conducted a study that aimed to understand the benefit of structured psychotherapeutic interventions, such as counseling and psychoeducation, in improving well‐being and adherence to treatment in people with breast cancer. It is specified that individuals who receive counseling—a technique that, just like the HR, belongs in the domain of humanistic therapy—show improvements in their well‐being.…”

Patient and economic benefits of psychological support for noncompliant patients

“…These results suggest that psychological support to augment medical treatment may be effective, even with this group. In fact, beneficial impacts of psychological support have been found for some conditions ( Komesu et al, 2011 ; Al-Sulaiman et al, 2018 ; Zanello et al, 2020 ), including pelvic pain ( Carty et al, 2019 ). While these data are encouraging, evidence is sparse regarding how and where such support impacts compliance (and, hence, added healthcare costs) at each point on the treatment path.…”