Reducing the unmet needs of patients with colorectal cancer: a feasibility study of The Pathfinder Volunteer Program.
OBJECTIVE
Many cancer patients experience unmet needs and elevated levels of anxiety and depression. This paper describes a volunteer-delivered intervention to reduce the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and presents findings from a feasibility study of this intervention.


METHODS
The telephone-based intervention, called the Pathfinder Program, involves the assignment of volunteers to patients to assist them in addressing their needs as identified in questionnaires. Fifty-two patients with colorectal cancer were involved in the feasibility study, with 18 in the intervention. Sixty-two percent of the sample was male and the mean age was 64 years. Patients' needs were assessed using The Supportive Care Needs Survey, a colorectal cancer symptom checklist, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. All patients completed baseline questionnaires (Time 1) and 47 completed Time 2 questionnaires 3 months later.


RESULTS
The most common needs were fear of the cancer spreading and returning, concerns about the worries of others, gas or wind, changes in weight, and bowel problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and pain. A statistically significant Time 1 to Time 2 decrease in supportive care needs and depression was found for the intervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
The Pathfinder Program has been found to be feasible, acceptable for patients, and has the potential to reduce needs and depression. A larger, randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the impact of this program on colorectal symptoms and anxiety.
Macvean
Michelle L
ML
The Cancer Council Victoria, 1 Rathdowne Street, Carlton, Victoria, 3053, Australia.
White
Victoria M
VM
Pratt
Sarah
S
Grogan
Suzanne
S
Sanson-Fisher
Robert
R
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012107:Research Design; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D014838:Volunteers