title: A feasibility study of a psychoeducational intervention program for gynecological cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to test the feasibility of implementing a psychoeducational intervention program for gynecological cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single-blinded randomized controlled trial and mixed-method design were used. Study subjects were newly diagnosed gynecological cancer patients with surgery as the first-line treatment. They were randomly assigned to the intervention group, in which a psychoeducational intervention program based on a thematic counseling model was offered, or to the attention control group. Quantitative data on sexual functioning, quality of life, uncertainty, anxiety, depression and social support were collected at recruitment, post-operative and during the in-hospital period, and eight weeks after the operation. Participants in the intervention group and three nurses working in the clinical setting were invited to have semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 30 eligible subjects, 26 were successfully recruited into the study. Following the psychoeducational intervention program, there was significant improvement in the level of inconsistent information about the illness within the category of uncertainty among participants in the intervention group. In addition, trends towards improvement were demonstrated in quality of life, uncertainty, depression and perceived social support with the provision of the interventions. Qualitative data indicated the interventions were desired and appreciated by the participants, as well as being feasible and practical to implement in Hong Kong clinical settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggest that it is feasible to deliver the psychoeducational intervention program and it may have beneficial effects in gynecological cancer patients. A full-scale study is warranted to confirm the results.
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Electronic address: kmchow@cuhk.edu.hk.
authors.forename: Ka Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: Carmen W H
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: Joanne C Y
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: The Nethersole School of Nursing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: Kai K C
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Siu
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D044466:Asian People; D003376:Counseling; D004644:Emotions; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D019529:Sexuality; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Chinese; Feasibility study; Gynecological cancer; Hong Kong; Psychoeducational intervention; Randomized controlled trial