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The value of prostate cancer support groups: a pilot study of primary physicians’ perspectives Garrett, Bernard M.; Oliffe, John Lindsay; Bottorff, J. L. (Joan L.), 1950-; McKenzie, Michael; Han, Christina; Ogrodniczuk, John S.

Abstract

Background: In Canada, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common male cancer, and prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) have prevailed for more than 20 years providing support to men with PCa and their families. While the format, focus and benefits of attending PCSGs have been reported little is known about primary physicians’ (PPs) perceptions of these groups. This article describes Canadian primary physicians’ views about face-to-face and web-based PCSGs. Methods Canadian based primary physicians (n = 140) attending a 2012 Continuing Medical Education Conference participated in a pilot survey questionnaire study. The 56-item questionnaire used in this study included six sets of attitudinal items to measure primary physicians’ beliefs about positive and negative influences of PCSGs, reasons for attending PCSGs, the attributes of effective PCSGs, and the value of face-to-face and web-based PCSGs. Results Results showed that PCSGs were positively valued, particularly for information sharing, education and psychosocial support. Poor inclusivity, privacy, and accessibility were identified as potential barriers, and recommendations were made for better marketing and web-based PCSGs to increase engagement with potential attendees. Conclusions Findings suggest PPs highly valued the role and potential benefits of PCSGs. Information provision and an educational role were perceived as key benefits amid the need to improve local and provincial marketing of PCSGs. The potential for web-based PCSGs to help in the support of PCa patients was also recognized.

Item Metadata

Title
The value of prostate cancer support groups: a pilot study of primary physicians’ perspectives
Creator
Garrett, Bernard M.; Oliffe, John Lindsay; Bottorff, J. L. (Joan L.), 1950-; McKenzie, Michael; Han, Christina; Ogrodniczuk, John S.
Publisher
BioMed Central
Date Issued
2014-03-28
Description
Background: In Canada, prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common male cancer, and prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) have prevailed for more than 20 years providing support to men with PCa and their families. While the format, focus and benefits of attending PCSGs have been reported little is known about primary physicians’ (PPs) perceptions of these groups. This article describes Canadian primary physicians’ views about face-to-face and web-based PCSGs. Methods Canadian based primary physicians (n = 140) attending a 2012 Continuing Medical Education Conference participated in a pilot survey questionnaire study. The 56-item questionnaire used in this study included six sets of attitudinal items to measure primary physicians’ beliefs about positive and negative influences of PCSGs, reasons for attending PCSGs, the attributes of effective PCSGs, and the value of face-to-face and web-based PCSGs. Results Results showed that PCSGs were positively valued, particularly for information sharing, education and psychosocial support. Poor inclusivity, privacy, and accessibility were identified as potential barriers, and recommendations were made for better marketing and web-based PCSGs to increase engagement with potential attendees. Conclusions Findings suggest PPs highly valued the role and potential benefits of PCSGs. Information provision and an educational role were perceived as key benefits amid the need to improve local and provincial marketing of PCSGs. The potential for web-based PCSGs to help in the support of PCa patients was also recognized.
Subject
Prostate cancer support groups; Primary healthcare providers; Clinician’s attitudes
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2015-10-22
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)
DOI
10.14288/1.0220698
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/55027
Affiliation
Applied Science, Faculty of; Medicine, Faculty of; Nursing, School of; Psychiatry, Department of; Non UBC
Citation
BMC Family Practice. 2014 Mar 28;15(1):56
Publisher DOI
10.1186/1471-2296-15-56
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Copyright Holder
Garrett et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
Rights URI
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Aggregated Source Repository
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Rights

Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)