Adapting a peer-led self-management program for breast cancer survivors in Switzerland using a co-creative approach. Issue 9 (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schmidt, Franziska; Ribi, Karin; Haslbeck, Joerg; Urech, Corinne; Holm, Karin; Eicher, Manuela
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 103:Issue 9(2020)
• Page Start: 1780
• Page End: 1789
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: breast cancer -- cancer survivorship -- co-creation -- self-management -- peer-led; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2020.03.028
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Including patients in developing supportive interventions, helps identify aspects of care that matter most to patients. Swiss breast cancer survivors identified psychosocial themes as critical unmet needs. Breast cancer survivors in Switzerland can benefit from tailored self-management support. Abstract: Objective: The peer-led Cancer Thriving and Surviving Program (CTS) has demonstrated improved health outcomes for cancer survivors. We describe a co-creative process for adapting the CTS for breast cancer survivors in Switzerland and integrating the program into the clinical pathway of Swiss breast centers. Methods: A co-creative approach was employed. Breast cancer survivors and health care professionals (total n = 81) participated in three workshops, an online rating, and a consensus conference. An iterative cycle (evidence, ideas, refining, rating, and synthesis) guided the adaptation process. Results: Survivors involvement in the adaptation process allowed to tailor the self-management program to the psychosocial needs identified as the highest priority. New contents "Being a woman", "Breast cancer and my (working) life" and "My exercise" were added to the CTS. Program duration was expanded from 6 to 7 weeks. Transition to follow-up care was considered as the optimal time point for program integration into the clinical pathway. Conclusion: The co-creative process may serve as a model in adapting supportive interventions for cancer. A subsequent pilot testing examined the feasibility and preliminary efficacy. Practice implications: Combining expertise of health care professionals and patients to co-create a peer-led breast cancer self-management program may enhance acceptability and adoption.