Post-treatment support for patients with haematological malignancies: findings from regional, rural and remote Queensland.

Social support is a significant factor in the cancer patient's psychosocial wellbeing. This paper presents the findings of recent Queensland-based research that explored the experience of families returning home to the regional, rural and remote sector after a family member completed specialist treatment for a haematological malignancy and related blood disorder in a major metropolitan centre. Family and friends are the key resource persons providing support. To a large degree, this is because of the absence of alternative sources. Even support from health professionals can be problematic and for many the only source of support is the specialist centre many hundreds of kilometres away. The primary response to developing supportive services needs to be through person to person contact either via telephone or newsletter. If targeted appropriately, there is also evidence that educational programs, support groups and volunteers would be an effective medium for providing support. Educating the local health professionals (GPs and nurses) about haematological conditions is a logical extension of providing support to families.