A family-based program of care for women with recurrent breast cancer and their family members.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the FOCUS Program (family involvement, optimistic attitude, coping effectiveness, uncertainty reduction, and symptom management), a family-based program of care for women with recurrent breast cancer and their family caregivers.


METHODS
Randomized clinical trial.


METHODS
Midwest region of the United States.


RESULTS
The family-based program of care consisted of five components: family involvement, optimistic attitude, coping effectiveness, uncertainty reduction, and symptom management. The program was delivered in three home visits and two follow-up phone calls over a five-month period of time.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with recurrent breast cancer and their family members reported high satisfaction with the FOCUS Program. Although the FOCUS Program had a number of strengths, limitations of the program also were identified that need to be addressed in future family-based interventions.


CONCLUSIONS
A need exists for family-based programs of care that enable both patients and their family members to manage the multiple demands associated with recurrent breast cancer.
Northouse
Laurel L
LL
School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. lnortho@umich.edu
Walker
Julie
J
Schafenacker
Ann
A
Mood
Darlene
D
Mellon
Suzanne
S
Galvin
Elizabeth
E
Harden
Janet
J
Freeman-Gibb
Laurie
L
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005192:Family Health; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D035781:Siblings; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States