Value of help from someone who's been there.

Abstract

241 Background: Cancer patients want to speak with someone who has their diagnosis, treatment or experience; but speaking with someone before an ostomy surgery, pelvic extenteration or the Whipple procedure, etc. can be particularly helpful due to the increased anxiety related to these and other serious procedures. A custom peer mentoring program by the cancer center for diagnosis or serious treatment purposes is optimal. Clinicians and patients want the service and attest to the importance of a one-on-one support connection. Methods: Steps were taken to partner with clinicians feeling peer support would be important to their patient. They want to make the best connection possible in a timely manner. Clinicians worked with the psychosocial program offering support to customize the connection so it would match the patient’s next treatment step. Peer mentors were recruited and trained to deliver a motivational interview style of approach in speaking with others who have the same cancer treatment experience. Mentors share resiliency tips they have developed or have found helpful. Results: MD Anderson Cancer Center’s Volunteer Services department offers a One-on-One support program of trained survivor volunteers available to support other survivors. The program has become a valued psychosocial offering by the MD Anderson. The clinicians and Volunteer Services staff team together to create a specific type of peer mentoring for a serious treatment or procedure or diagnosis. The volunteer staff department administers the One-on-One support program by recruiting, training and making available the connections when requested by clinician or patient. Currently, there are 1912 active survivor volunteers in the One-on-One support database. 2370 connections were made in FY14 and 1596 connections to date in FY15. Conclusions: Patients get support from survivors who have had the same experience at a time when their anxiety may be highest. Survivors who have lived through the same serious treatment and are hopeful and resilient after the procedures make the patient feel less isolated, frightened and supported by others. Caregivers, who often have more anxiety than the patient, welcome the support for their loved one.