Franziska Schmidt1, Karin Ribi2, Joerg Haslbeck3, Corinne Urech4, Karin Holm5, Manuela Eicher6. 1. Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. 2. Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG), Bern, Switzerland. 3. Swiss Cancer League, Division Follow-up Care, Bern, Switzerland; Nursing Science, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 4. Women's Hospital, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. 5. Patient Advocates for Cancer Research and Treatment (Association PACRT), Geneva, Switzerland. 6. Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare, Faculty of Biology and Medicine, University of Lausanne and University Hospital Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: manuela.eicher@chuv.ch.
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.
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.