How does a cancer education program impact on people with cancer and their family and friends?

• Published in: Journal of cancer education Vol. 23; no. 2; pp. 126 - 132
• Main Authors: Sutherland, Georgina, Hoey, Louisa, White, Victoria, Jefford, Michael, Hegarty, Suzanne
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer-Verlag 01.04.2008; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cancer; Cancer Research; Caregivers; Communication Skills; Community Resources; Coping; Councils; Dentistry; Emotions; Family (Sociological Unit); Family - psychology; Female; Friends - psychology; Humans; Illnesses; Likert scale; Likert Scales; Male; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - psychology; Palliative care; Participant Satisfaction; Patient education; Patient Education as Topic; Patient Satisfaction; Patients; Perceptions; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Program Development; Quality of Life; Questionnaires; Social Networks; Social Perception; Social Support; Sociodemographics; Statistical Analysis; Surveys and Questionnaires; Australia; Victoria Australia; Emotional Functioning; Informal Carer; Illness Perception; Cancer Information Service; Emotional Support
• ISSN: 0885-8195; 1543-0154
• DOI: 10.1080/08858190802039177

Background . In this article, we report on the effects of patient education for people with cancer in comparison to family and friends. Methods . Data are from 666 participants with cancer and 324 family and friends who completed preprogram and postprogram questionnaires. Results . Results show high levels of participant satisfaction and positive changes in measures such as illness perceptions and emotional functioning. In many cases, the pattern of change was different for people with cancer compared to family and friends. Conclusions . This education program may be useful for helping people with cancer cope with the disease, with some distinct benefits for family and friends.