Adaptation of the chronic disease self-management program for cancer survivors: feasibility, acceptability, and lessons for implementation

J Cancer Educ. 2014 Dec;29(4):762-71. doi: 10.1007/s13187-014-0652-8.

Abstract

Self-management in chronic disease has been shown to improve patient-reported and health care-related outcomes. However, relatively little information about its utility in cancer survivorship is known. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the delivery of an adaptation of the evidence-based Chronic Disease Self-management Program (Stanford) called Cancer Thriving and Surviving (CTS). Triangulated mixed methods were used to capture baseline characteristics and post-program experiences using a combination of closed- and open-ended survey items; emergent coding and simple descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Twenty-seven workshops were delivered by 22 CTS leaders to 244 participants between August 2011 and January 2013 in a variety of settings (48 % community, 30 % health care, 22 % regional/community cancer center). Representing a variety of cancer types, about half the participants were 1-3 years post-diagnosis and 45 % were 4 or more years from diagnosis. Program attendance was high with 84 % of participants attending four or more of the six sessions in the workshop. Overall, 95 % of the participants were satisfied with the program content and leaders, and would recommend the program to friends and family. These results confirm the feasibility and acceptability of delivery of a high-fidelity, peer-led model for self-management support for cancer survivors. Expansion of the CTS represents a powerful tool toward improving health-related outcomes in this at-risk population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Aged
  • Chronic Disease / prevention & control
  • Chronic Disease / psychology*
  • Chronic Disease / rehabilitation
  • Disease Management
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Health Plan Implementation*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Neoplasms / rehabilitation
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Participation
  • Patient-Centered Care*
  • Program Evaluation
  • Self Care / methods*
  • Survivors*