title: Interest in and barriers to participation in multiple family groups among head and neck cancer survivors and their primary family caregivers.
abstract: This study examined interest in and barriers to participation in a multiple family group intervention (MFG) for adult cancer survivors and their family caregivers. The intervention was developed to assist families in coping with the persistent challenges of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Eighty eligible families having a member diagnosed and treated for cancers of the head and neck region completed a baseline quality of life survey consisting of standardized psychosocial measures, and then all patients and their families were invited to participate in a day-long multiple family group program. However, despite extensive recruitment efforts and accommodations to address anticipated barriers for nonparticipation, only 15 of the 80 (19%) eligible families agreed to attend the MFG workshop. Post-MFG, participating families reported high levels of program satisfaction and usefulness. These findings are discussed in the context of increasing the use of family-focused interventions in cancer care settings.
authors.affiliation: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ostroff
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Steinglass
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Ronis-Tobin
authors.forename: Bhuvanesh
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*