Development and pilot testing of a psychoeducational intervention for oral cancer patients
2003; Wiley; Volume: 13; Issue: 9 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1002/pon.767
ISSN1099-1611
AutoresMark R. Katz, Jonathan C. Irish, Gerald M. Devins,
Tópico(s)Oral health in cancer treatment
ResumoAbstract Objective : Oral cancer elicits considerable distress in both the pre and post‐treatment periods. This paper details the development, validation and pilot‐testing of a psychoeducational intervention for oral cancer patients. Method : An educational booklet covering information about oral cancer and its treatment and effective coping strategies was developed by a multi‐disciplinary team. It was evaluated by patient focus groups and content/educational experts, delivered to subjects in pre and post‐operative presentations by a health educator, and pilot‐tested in a randomized controlled trial versus standard care. Results : Pilot data from 19 subjects (10 psychoeducation, nine standard care) indicates that the intervention is feasible and highly acceptable. At follow‐up the intervention group showed a gain in knowledge, less body image disturbance, lower anxiety and a trend toward higher wellbeing. Conclusion : This program, which is currently being evaluated in a larger RCT with extended follow‐up, should prove useful in reducing the psychosocial burden of oral cancer and its treatment. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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