title: Patients' Knowledge and Attitudes towards Cancer Peer Support Programs.
abstract: The objective of this study was to gain a better understanding of cancer patients' preexisting knowledge, expectations and concerns towards peer support programs. Data were collected and analyzed in 51 patients using a standardized short interview and content analysis. Only 37% of the patients claimed to know peer support programs, and half of these regularly attended a support group. Forty-seven percent of the patients who did not know these programs showed a general interest. Reasons for attending a support group were primarily the exchange with other patients (18% of all statements), obtaining information about disease and treatment (10%) and receiving emotional support (9%). The main argument against participation was the fear of suffering when confronted with problems of others (21%). Utilization may be increased if volunteers and health care practitioners give patients more detailed information about the various offers of peer support.
authors.affiliation: Charitx00E9; Comprehensive Cancer Center, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stickel
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gröpper
authors.forename: Antonia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pallauf
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Goerling
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001290:Attitude; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D055815:Young Adult