Development of a new community-based support system for cancer survivors

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25870619
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Psychiatric science; General internal medicine(including psychosomatic medicine)
• Research Institution: Kindai University (2016); Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine (2013-2015)
• Principal Investigator: HATANO Yutaka 近畿大学, 医学部, 講師 (30516034)
• Research Collaborator: MITSUKI Sachiko 同志社女子大学, 看護学部, 准教授 (70269778) ; HOSOKAWA Toyoshi 京都府立医科大学, 医学研究科, 教授 (80165555) ; FUKUI Kenji 京都府立医科大学, 医学研究科, 特任教授 (50165263)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: がん患者 / 患者会 / サポートグループ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire survey with ambulatory patients with cancer across eight designated cancer hospitals to examine awareness of and reasons for participation or non-participation in cancer support groups. The questionnaire covered patients' demographics, disease characteristics, participation/non-participation in cancer support groups, and reasons for participation/non-participation. 569 questionnaires were distributed, and responses were received from 275 patients with cancer. Of these, 135 patients were aware of support groups and 23 had participated in a group. Patients who were aware of support groups were more likely to be young, female patients. Most support group participants expected to receive information about the disease and treatment (91%). They also wanted to hear about other patients' experiences (73%). About half of participating patients were unaware of support groups. Even among patients who were aware, many did not attend a support group.

Free Research Field

緩和医療