4 Good, for Good, for Living Better and Healthier!

Abstract

Background and context: Since 1982, cancer has become the leading cause of death in Taiwan. According to a survey done by Ministry of Health and Welfare Taiwan, the death rate of patients diagnosed of cancer without treatment in 3 months is three times higher than those under proper treatment. Aim: To focus on patients education and encourage self-management. To improve relationship between patients and medical professionals. To improve the patients' awareness of their own rights. To make sure that patients go through the entire treatment phases so as to increase the survival rate of cancer patients. Strategy/Tactics: Good 1: Understand it- to know the cancer stage and cell type. Good 2: Face it- to receive proper information about treatment and to take initiative during discussion and decision making process about treatment. Good 3: Treat it- to understand the specific treatment of cancer and to reach out for help regarding soothing side-effects and self-care strategies so as to maintain better quality of life while lowering impact of the disease. Good 4: Beat it- to go through the entire treatment phases, while following principles such as balanced diet, regular exercise etc. to boost energy for the fight. Program/Policy process: HOPE PASSPORT as a self-management tool Short films Advertisements in MRT trains. Press conference and broadcast Official Web site and Facebook page Outcomes: 4806 copies of HOPE PASSPORT were issued (2017/7-2017/11) Short films: 340,000 views on YouTube and 150,000 views in the movie theater. Posters in 66 cancer resource centers and 134 hospitals in Taiwan (2017/6-2017/12) were displayed. Additionally, advertisements on METRO Tamsui-XIngyi Line (2017/6/14-2017/7/12) and short film on platforms were displayed (2017/11/1-2017/11/30). Press conference: 6 reports on newspaper, 2 on TV, 99 on Internet news and 1 on magazine. Official Web site and Facebook page: 509,421 visits on official website (2017/6-2017/12) and 5,620,019 views on Facebook (2017/6-2017/8). What was learned: Using the “HOPE PASSPORT” as a self-management and communication tool, patients' awareness of the disease, the treatment and results of the examination were improved. It also showed both empowerment and self-management ability of patients increased. “4 Good” as a positive and strong slogan brought the main 4 steps for patients to fight their cancers.