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Couples coping with cancer together: Successful implementation of a caregiver program as standard of care
Author(s) -
Bitz Courtney,
Kent Erin E.,
Clark Karen,
Loscalzo Matthew
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.5364
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , program evaluation , distress , psychology , modalities , health care , intervention (counseling) , coping (psychology) , intervention mapping , credibility , nursing , gerontology , clinical psychology , medicine , psychotherapist , health promotion , public health , psychiatry , social science , public administration , sociology , political science , law , economics , economic growth
Objective The couples coping with cancer together program (CCCT) is used to illustrate practical strategies to implement, evaluate, and grow a successful couples‐based program in an NCI‐designated CCC. CCCT is multimodal program utilizing psychoeducational, strategic, strengths‐based, and problem‐solving theoretical frameworks. CCCT integrates multiple intervention modalities, as the standard of care: patients/partners biopsychosocial screening, a standardized psychoeducational session, group intervention, and short‐term couples counseling. Methods Implementation strategies included: (a) identifying Values‐Benefits‐Outcomes for key stakeholders, (b) recruiting an interdisciplinary team, (c) utilizing a concurrent development model (implementing program components in small iterations), (d) integrating program into existing institutional processes, and (e) collecting data and credibility. Results CCCT prospectively screened 1995 patients/partners simultaneously for biopsychosocial distress and 913 patient/partner completed program evaluations. Program satisfaction was extremely high: “I recommend this program, for other patients/partners (Patients 95.4% Partners 96.4%).” Ten of the 11 participating physicians anonymously surveyed responded and indicated 100% likely/very likely “to recommend the program to other physicians.” Conclusions Couples‐based programs are underutilized and have been shown to be important for adjustment and increased longevity. Despite barriers in the healthcare environment, implementing couples‐based programs into standard of care are feasible. These strategies may be applicable to develop supportive care programs in various health‐care settings.