Social Isolation Of Patients Research Articles

Perceived Social Isolation Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Suffering From Disease-Induced Pain and Disability.

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) face a wide range of symptoms, including physical disability, imbalance, motor disorders, and acute and chronic pain. The psychosocial consequences of these symptoms may limit social well-being and quality of life in these patients. The aim of the study was to assess self-perceived social isolation among patients with MS and its relationship with pain intensity and disability status. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 patients with MS referred to neurology wards and clinics, the MS Association, and rehabilitation centers. Data collection tools used included a demographic information form, Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Expanded Disability Status Scale, and Social Isolation Questionnaire. The mean scores of 4.66 ( SD = 1.15) for disability and 4.18 ( SD = 2.22) for pain intensity both indicated moderate levels of both. Of the sample, 21.5% (43 patients) reported no pain, 22.5% ( n = 45) reported mild pain, 35% ( n = 70) reported moderate pain, and 21% ( n = 42) reported intense pain. The average social isolation score was 63.52 ( SD = 3.32), which is higher than the theoretical average. Of the sample, 44.5% reported low social isolation, whereas 55.5% indicated high social isolation. Gender, duration of MS, economic status, disability status, and pain intensity were all found to be significantly associated with social isolation in patients with MS (all p s < .05). Based on the findings, comprehensive support plans are necessary to improve psychosocial well-being, social life, and quality of life in patients with MS.

The lived experience of loneliness and social isolation in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension: A phenomenological study

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, complex and chronic disease, characterised by a mean pulmonary arterial pressure at rest above 20 mmHg, determined through right heart catheterisation. As the disease progresses, symptoms (e.g., chest pain, syncope, respiratory distress) occur, which negatively impact quality of life. Moreover, symptoms of PAH can impair activities of daily living and social functions, leading to social isolation and loneliness. So far the experience of social isolation and loneliness in PAH patients. Purpose To explore the lived experience of social isolation and loneliness in patients with PAH. Methods A multicentre descriptive phenomenological study was conducted with semi-structured interviews driven by the Middle Range Theory of Social Isolation. This study followed the COREQ guidelines, and data analysis was conducted using the Elo and Kyngäs method. Results Seventeen patients (mean age 55,3 years; range 21-83 years; n=3 male) recruited from specialized clinics or patient associations across different Italian regions, participated in the interviews. The results show that patients with a marked symptomatology experience daily moments of loneliness and social isolation that inevitably impact the quality of life. While, patients with a mild symptomatology or with drug support can lead a life similar to that before diagnosis. Three main categories emerged. First, within the main category of loneliness emerged generic categories including emotions associated with loneliness (anger, depression, frustration, guilt, fear)as well as the influence of loneliness on the disease and the various strategies to limit it. Second, for the main category of social isolation were also identified other generic categories including networks of support of the person with PAH (family, social and work), emotions related to social isolation (dismissal and pretend to be well) and the influence of social isolation on the path of illness. Finally, generic categories related to well-being, autonomy, health, self-care activity or health promotion performed by the patient emerged for the main quality of life category. Conclusion The findings of this study contribute to a more in depth understanding of the factors influencing the quality of life of patients with PAH and enlighten the design of interventions aimed at improving their condition. Integration of these results with quantitative data regarding the extent of the influence of loneliness and social isolation is warranted.

A Phone Pal to overcome social isolation in patients with psychosis-Findings from a feasibility trial.

People with psychosis often experience social isolation due to stigma. Several volunteering programmes that exist in the community to support patients expect in-person meetings, requiring greater availability and commitment. This study investigated the acceptability and feasibility of remote volunteering over a smartphone for people with psychosis over 12 weeks, exploring its potential impact on both patients and volunteers. A total of 36 participants took part in the study. In the first phase, six participants were recruited in less than three weeks in London. All established contact with their match, and there were no study withdrawals. In the second phase, 30 additional participants were recruited in four weeks, across the United Kingdom. Most patients and volunteers reported that they primarily used audio calls to make contact, followed by text messages, WhatsApp messages and video calls. There were improvements in patients' scores of quality of life, self-esteem, social contacts and symptoms, and in volunteers' ratings of quality of life, physical activity, self-esteem, social comparison, and social distance towards people with mental illness. This study demonstrates that it is feasible, acceptable and safe to remotely connect volunteers and people with psychosis who are afar. Trial registration: ISRCTN17586238 (registration date: 28/09/2018).

The effect of perceived stress on social isolation in young and middle-aged maintenance haemodialysis patients: Apolynomial regression and response surface analysis.

Patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) face social isolation due to the far-reaching effects of their disease and treatment. Based on the Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, we analysed the relationship between perceived stress and social isolation in patients, and the mediating role of internal health-related locus of control (IHLC) from the perspective of co-existence of perceived helplessness (HEL) and perceived self-efficacy (SEL). We used structured questionnaires to investigate 332 cases of young and middle-aged MHD patients in four tertiary hospitals in Guangdong, China. Polynomial regression and response surface analysis were conducted, along with tests of mediating effects on the data. The research was based on STROBE guidelines. The results showed that perceived stress is significantly and positively associated with social isolation. When the HEL and SEL of perceived stress were congruent, the joint effect of the two was in a positive curvilinear relationship to social isolation, when the two were incongruent, the risk of social isolation was lower for "low HEL-high SEL" patients compared to the "high HEL-low SEL" combination. The more congruent in HEL -SEL, the lower the risk of social isolation for the patients, with the IHLC playing a mediating role in this association. This study reveals that the coexistence of perceived stress's HEL and SEL affects social isolation through congruent and incongruent matching mechanism, providing additional explanations for the mechanism of occurrence of patients' social isolation.

Comparison the effect of self-care training program in two methods of multi-media education and tele-nursing on social isolation in patients with COVID-19 in Bandar Abbas

Background. With the spread of the contagious disease of COVID-19, the necessity of quarantine came to prevent the transmission of the disease. For this reason, patients suffered from social isolation. On the other hand, in order to control and treat the disease, it was necessary to provide self-care training. The present study was designed with the aim of comparison of the effect of self-care training program in two methods of multi-media education and tele-nursing on social isolation in patients with COVID-19 in Bandar Abbas city. Methods. This study was performed as a quasi-experimental study on 88 patients with COVID-19 referred to comprehensive health service centers in Bandar Abbas in 2021. The research samples were selected through convenience method and were divided into two groups of multimedia training and tele-nursing using block random allocation. First, social isolation in patients with COVID-19 was assessed using the questionnaire in two groups and then self-care training was provided using multimedia and tele-nursing methods. At the end of day twenty-one, social isolation was measured again and the data was entered into SPSS software version 26 and analyzed. Results. There was no significant difference in pre-intervention assessment in term of social isolation score between the two groups (P&gt;0.05). The results of the multiple covariance analysis test showed that by controlling the effect of the pre-test of each dimension of social isolation, the mean score of the loneliness, social disability, social anxiety and social tolerance dimensions after the intervention in the telenursing group was significantly lower than that of the multimedia group (P&lt;0.001). Conclusion. Educational methods such as multimedia education and tele-nursing for awareness and self-care education, along with other medical care, can reduce social isolation. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a self-care education program and provide information about the necessary care during COVID-19 disease for patients in comprehensive health service centers and to use tele-nursing for more effective self-care education. Practical Implications. Research findings can be applied in self-care training programs in infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Characteristics and influencing factors of social isolation in patients with breast cancer: a latent profile analysis.

The goal of this study is to investigate the social isolation (SI) subtypes of patients with breast cancer (BC) and to explore its influencing factors. A sample of 303 BC patients participated in the study from September to December, 2021. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was performed to identify SI clusters based on the three sub-scales of the Chinese version of the Social Anxiety Scale, the Chinese version of the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, and the Chinese version of the Loneliness Scale. We found that SI can be divided into three categories: high-level (Class 1), middle-level (Class 2), and low-level (Class 3), accounting for 20.46%, 33.00%, and 46.54%, respectively. Compared to Class 3, Class 1, which had the lower average monthly income per family member (RMB) (< 3000: OR = 5.298, P = .021; 3000 ~ 5000: OR = 5.320, P = .018), was more likely to suffer from SI due to occupation (Laborer: OR = 12.023, P = .009). Surgery (OR = 14.138, P < .001; OR = 2.777, P = .020), chemotherapy (OR = 10.224, P = .001; OR = 3.545, P = .001); poorer family functioning (OR = .671, P < .001; OR = .801, P = .002), and lower levels of self-transcendence (OR = .806, P < .001; OR = .911, P < .001) were important influencing factors for SI in Class 1 and Class 2 compared toClass3. SI is classifiably heterogeneous among patients with BC. Strategies that identify characteristics of SI and give targeted intervention focusing on family functioning and improving self-transcendence levels contribute to the prevention of SI among patients with BC.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the second most common cause of sensorineural hearing loss, after age-related hearing loss, and affects approximately 5% of the world's population. NIHL is associated with substantial physical, mental, social, and economic impacts at the patient and societal levels. Stress and social isolation in patients' workplace and personal lives contribute to quality-of-life decrements which may often go undetected. The pathophysiology of NIHL is multifactorial and complex, encompassing genetic and environmental factors with substantial occupational contributions. The diagnosis and screening of NIHL are conducted by reviewing a patient's history of noise exposure, audiograms, speech-in-noise test results, and measurements of distortion product otoacoustic emissions and auditory brainstem response. Essential aspects of decreasing the burden of NIHL are prevention and early detection, such as implementation of educational and screening programs in routine primary care and specialty clinics. Additionally, current research on the pharmacological treatment of NIHL includes anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-excitatory, and anti-apoptotic agents. Although there have been substantial advances in understanding the pathophysiology of NIHL, there remain low levels of evidence for effective pharmacotherapeutic interventions. Future directions should include personalized prevention and targeted treatment strategies based on a holistic view of an individual's occupation, genetics, and pathology.

Social isolation in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia: a cross-sectional study

Assistance by family members or friends plays important roles in the course of treating patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), both during hospitalization and after discharge. The aim of this study was to reveal the prevalence of social isolation and to explore relevant clinical backgrounds in patients with CLTI presenting with tissue loss and requiring revascularization. We analyzed 413 patients registered in a multicenter study in whom revascularization were scheduled for CLTI with tissue loss. Social isolation was analyzed by assessing the residence status of the patients and the involvement of a trusted family member or friend in their daily lives and during hospitalization. Patients living alone accounted for 24.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 20.1–28.8%) of the study population. Patients receiving welfare were more likely to live alone (P < 0.001). For patients living alone, 21.8% (95% CI 12.8–30.8%) met a trusted family member or friend in their daily lives less than once per year. Younger age and receiving welfare were independently associated with lower frequency of meeting the trusted person in their daily lives (both P < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio of age and receiving welfare was 0.44 (95% CI 0.29–0.67) per 10-year increase and 3.47 (95% CI 1.43–8.44), respectively. During hospitalization, 9.9% (95% CI 6.8–13.0%) of the patients had no hospital visits by a trusted family member or friend on three key occasions: the patient’s first hospital visit, the preoperative explanation regarding the planned operation, and the day of the operation. Younger age and receiving welfare were independently associated with lower frequency of hospital visits by a family member or friend (both P < 0.05). The adjusted odds ratio of age and receiving welfare for no visit versus ≥ 1 visit was 0.51 (0.36–0.74) per 10-year increase and 5.29 (2.46–11.4), respectively. In conclusion, social isolation is common among patients with CLTI, especially younger patients and those on welfare. Practical countermeasures against social isolation are warranted in the management of CLTI.

Retracted: The Progress of Social Isolation in Patients with Enterostomy during Discharge Transition Period.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/4940946.].

Vincer EMO Project: Physical Activity for Haemophilic Patients. How We Faced Up SARS COV2 Pandemic

The SARS COVID pandemic has negatively impacted health care activities in the entire world, both in emergency and ordinary inpatient and outpatient regimes. Rehabilitation has also suffered a heavy penalty which has not spared research projects in specific sectors. The VINCEREMO project stems from the need to objectively evaluate the benefits of a regular personalized physical activity program on musculoskeletal health in patients with severe haemophilia A and B. These patients present in a high percentage of important functional limitations and reduction of trophism and muscle strength due to the consequences of haemophilic arthropathy. Multi-district impairments in addition with the high risk of bleeding hinder the performance of common recreational and sports activities, resulting in social isolation of patients, especially in childhood and youth age. Even if the SARS COVID pandemic interrupted the various rehabilitation activities in the expected mode of the project, we were also able to continue the training course thanks to personalized tele-rehabilitation programs, who supported patients during the lockdown period, maintaining good adherence to therapeutic proposals. The preliminary results of the controls at the end of the reference period showed positive changes in the outcome indicators.

The Progress of Social Isolation in Patients with Enterostomy during Discharge Transition Period.

In terms of social and psychological health of enterostomy patients during hospitalization and discharge transition period, the degree of social isolation in patients during discharge transition period is higher than that during hospitalization period, which is usually manifested by poor self-perception of body image changes. Self-esteem (shame) frustration, severe negative emotions, low psychosocial adjustment, and other factors are closely related to postoperative complications, coping self-efficacy, social support level, family living conditions, and other influencing factors. This is an important reason why patients are difficult to adapt to ostomy life and low quality of life. At present, it is believed that the social isolation related evaluation scale can be used to understand the status quo of patients with social isolation and provide nursing guidance, so as to better cope with the adverse medical outcomes caused by social isolation.

82. Gender-Affirming Facial Feminization Surgery Improves Patient-Reported Psychosocial Outcomes

Purpose: Comprehensive, prospective analyses of psychosocial outcomes after gender-affirming facial feminization surgery (FFS) are absent in the literature resulting in a knowledge gap on the effects of FFS on quality of life as well as ramifications in access to care for patients through health insurance coverage. The aim of this work is to determine the effect of gender-affirming FFS on psychosocial outcomes in patients with gender dysphoria by administering 11 validated, quantitative patient-reported outcomes measures. Methods: A prospective cohort study of patients evaluated for de novo gender-affirming FFS (2019-2021) at the University of California Los Angeles was conducted. Patients were prospectively administered 11 psychosocial assessments from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System before (>21 days preoperatively) and after (>90 days postoperatively) FFS. Patients who presented for revision FFS were excluded. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative groups were performed using Chi square analyses, independent t tests, and Mann Whitney U tests. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted for each of the psychosocial outcomes scores to assess the effects of the following independent variables: completion of FFS, completion of other gender-affirming surgeries, duration of hormone therapy for medical transition, presence of pre-existing mental health diagnoses, and socioeconomic disparities as defined by type of health insurance (private versus public). Selection of the independent variables for inclusion in the regression model was based on the known effects of each variable on psychosocial functioning in transgender patients. Results: 190 patients (mean age 33.1±10.6 years) were included. Compared with the preoperative FFS group (n=136), patients who completed FFS (n=54) reported improved scores in 6 of the 11 measures including anxiety (56.8±8.4 vs. 60.0±8.2, p=0.02), depression (52.2±8.7 vs. 56.7±8.9, p=0.002), positive affect (46.7±8.6 vs. 42.8±8.8, p=0.007), meaning and purpose (50.4±11.2 vs. 46.0±10.6, p=0.02), global mental health (46.4±7.1 vs. 43.3±9.0, p=0.02), and social isolation (51.8±7.5 vs. 55.2±7.9, p=0.02). Multivariable analysis to account for the effects of other gender-affirming surgeries, hormone therapy duration, pre-existing mental health diagnoses, and socioeconomic disparities on psychosocial functioning demonstrated that completion of FFS was independently predictive of improved psychosocial outcomes scores in the 6 measures. Conclusions: Gender-affirming facial feminization surgery improves anxiety, depression, positive affect, meaning and purpose, global mental health, and social isolation in patients with gender dysphoria.

Experiences of social isolation among patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder in China: A qualitative study

BackgroundNeuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, which mainly involves the optic nerve and spinal cord and has high recurrence and disability rates. Patients with this condition are prone to social isolation, which has not been widely assessed. The purpose of this study was to investigate the experience of social isolation in patients with NMOSD. MethodsA qualitative descriptive approach was used to conduct in-depth, face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. ResultsA total of 20 patients (19 females, 1 male) completed the interview. Patients ranged in age from 14 to 68 years, with disease duration from 1 month to 30 years and Expanded Disability Status Scale scores from 2.0 to 8.0; 60% of patients were unemployed. Four major themes were identified: (1) perception of social isolation, (2) reasons for isolation, (3) impacts of isolation, and (4) potential solutions. ConclusionsSocial isolation affects patients of all ages with different levels of disability and duration of NMOSD. Isolation occurs as a result of multiple interactions between physiological, cognitive-psychological, and environmental factors. The effects of social isolation mainly involve physical, psychological, and family-society aspects. Comprehensive interventions to improve social isolation should be carried out based on these multidimensional influencing factors.

Polyplex-Loaded Hydrogels for Local Gene Delivery to Human Dermal Fibroblasts.

Impaired cutaneous healing leading to chronic wounds affects between 2 and 6% of the total population in most developed countries and it places a substantial burden on healthcare budgets. Current treatments involving antibiotic dressings and mechanical debridement are often not effective, causing severe pain, emotional distress, and social isolation in patients for years or even decades, ultimately resulting in limb amputation. Alternatively, gene therapy (such as mRNA therapies) has emerged as a viable option to promote wound healing through modulation of gene expression. However, protecting the genetic cargo from degradation and efficient transfection into primary cells remain significant challenges in the push to clinical translation. Another limiting aspect of current therapies is the lack of sustained release of drugs to match the therapeutic window. Herein, we have developed an injectable, biodegradable and cytocompatible hydrogel-based wound dressing that delivers poly(β-amino ester)s (pBAEs) nanoparticles in a sustained manner over a range of therapeutic windows. We also demonstrate that pBAE nanoparticles, successfully used in previous in vivo studies, protect the mRNA load and efficiently transfect human dermal fibroblasts upon sustained release from the hydrogel wound dressing. This prototype wound dressing technology can enable the development of novel gene therapies for the treatment of chronic wounds.

COVID-19 creating challenges in a rehabilitation facility in Australia: A discussion paper

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about many challenges and alterations to long-standing procedures within rehabilitation facilities. These updates of the processes undertaken by staff in such settings have been radical and ongoing. COVID-19 impact on the healthcare system should never be underestimated nor under appreciated. The impact that this pandemic has had on rehabilitation care is unique. This has been the catalyst to identifying significant challenges and subsequent changes within rehabilitation and mental health practices. Social measures that have been implemented in the community have had exaggerated and magnified effects both on the physical and mental wellbeing of rehabilitation and mental health patients. Over the course of these adaptations and implementations, impacts on communication, mental health, workload and care efficiencies were identified and explored. This paper is unique because different disciplines have shared their experiences of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and how they provide rehabilitation. The paper will focus on the communication challenges using masks, not being able to engage families and carers, restriction of group therapies, social isolation of patients and healthcare workers while adhering to guidelines set by NSW Health (Sydney, Australia).

Depression, Anxiety, Stress and Social Isolation in Hepatitis Patients

Hepatitis is a complex and chronic liver disorder. Due to the nature of the disease, these patients experience various levels of social isolation, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate depression, anxiety, stress, and social isolation in patients with hepatitis B and C in Kermanshah. This study is descriptive-analytic research, the participants were the patients with hepatitis, who referred to liver disease center. Data collection was with Russell social isolation questionnaire and DASS-21 questionnaire. The questionnaires were completed by the patients. 67.3% of the patients were male. The mean age was 41.02 ± 12.4 years, and the majority of the participants were married (143; 67.8%). The results showed that there is a direct and significant relationship between social isolation with depression, anxiety, and stress (P=0.001, P=0.001, P=0.001). In addition, results showed that there is a significant difference between the mean depression scores and age (P=0.048). Also, the results showed that there is a significant difference in the mean score of social isolation and education level (P=0.038). There is no significant difference between the other variables with depression, anxiety, stress, and social isolation (P&gt;0.05). These results showed that there is a relationship between social isolation with anxiety, stress, and depression. Also, anxiety, stress, and depression in hepatitis patients are related to age and education level. So, it is suggested to provide effective programs in the care of these patients. Doi: 10.28991/SciMedJ-2020-0204-5 Full Text: PDF

Psychosocial factors and coronary heart disease

Article is devoted to a research of interrelation of psychosocial factors and courses of coronary heart disease (CHD). The anxiety, a depression, social isolation of patients with CHD is considered. Need of identification of psychosocial factors at patients with CHD for the purpose of their correction and improvement of the forecast of sick CHD and quality of their life is shown.

P2263Prognostic impact of perceived social isolation in patients with heart failure

Abstract Background Perceived social isolation (SI), the subjective sense of feelings of loneliness or isolation, has a negative impact on health outcomes, particularly in older adults. Although SI may also contribute to poor prognosis in patients with HF, evidence on the relationship between SI and outcomes in patients with HF is limited. Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between SI and hospital readmission in patients with HF. Methods This study was a single center prospective cohort study. We consecutively enrolled 203 patients (mean age 72.9±11.7) who admitted for acute HF or exacerbation of chronic HF. At hospital discharge, we assessed perceived SI by using Lubben Social Network Scale - 6 (LSNS-6). Lower scores in LSNS-6 represents greater SI. Study outcome was rehospitalization for worsening HF within 180 days after discharge. We selected the optimal cutoff point of LSNS-6 that predict a worse outcome by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We investigate the association between SI and 180-days HF rehospitalization by using Cox proportional-hazard models, controlling for potential confounding factors. Results During follow up, A total of 40events (19.7%) were observed. The optimal cut-off point of LSNS-6 score was 17 points (the area under the ROC curve: 0.62, p&lt;0.05, sensitivity: 82.5%, specificity 42.4%). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that those patients with greater SI (LSNS-6≤17) presented significantly higher HF rehospitalization rate (Figure). After adjusting for several pre-existing prognostic factors, LSNS-6≤17 was independently associated with HF rehospitalization (hazard ratio2.15,95% confidence interval 1.00–4.89). Conclusion The present study shows that SI is a independent predictor of HF rehospitalization in patients with HF. Assessing SI in the clinical practice with a brief screening tool may help identify patients with heart failure at greater risk of rehospitalization.

Clinical progress of wound management in venous leg ulcers

Venous leg ulcer (VLU) is a disease of venous hypertension leading to open skin lesions of lower extremities, which is the terminal stage of chronic venous insufficiency. Considering the high prevalence and recurrence rate, VLU restrain daily activities, impair mental health and even contribute to social isolation of patients. Currently, surgery and compression therapy are wildly used to relieve symptoms and eliminate the etiological factors, however, ulcers remain unhealed even after these treatments in many cases. In this article, we review the clinical progress of treatment for VLU, including the debridement, antibiotics, ulcer dressing, negative pressure wound therapy and skin graft, to provide reference on the therapeutic strategy for different ulcer conditions. Key words: Varicose ulcer; Wound healing

How would patients with psychosis like to be in contact with a volunteer: Face-to-face or digitally?

IntroductionVolunteer befriending can be used to address social isolation in patients with psychosis. Traditionally this involves face-to-face encounters between a volunteer and a patient, but modern digital technology also makes it possible to have these interactions remotely. This study aimed to explore the views and interests of patients with psychosis about different formats of volunteering, face-to-face or digitally.MethodsA survey was conducted with patients with psychotic disorders in community mental health teams in London. Questions covered socio-demographic characteristics, quality of life, loneliness, views on the different formats of volunteering and types of volunteers, and their interest in getting volunteering support, face-to-face or digitally. Binary logistic regressions were used to investigate potential predictors of interest in getting volunteering support face-to-face or digitally.ResultsA total of 151 patients with psychotic disorders were included in this study. More than half of the patients (n = 87, 57.6%) had not heard about these volunteering programs. Many were interested in getting face-to-face (n = 87, 57.6%) and digital (n = 56, 37.1%) volunteering. For the face-to-face encounters, most preferred them to be weekly (n = 36, 41.4%), for one-hour (n = 32, 36.8%), and with an open-ended relationship (n = 45, 51.7%). For the digital contacts, most preferred them to be weekly (n = 17, 30.9%) and through text messages (n = 26, 46.4%). A minority of patients (n = 20, 13.2%) did not use digital technology. Patients with lower quality of life were significantly more likely to prefer face-to-face volunteering (p < .05). Younger patients and with fewer years of diagnosis were significantly more likely to prefer digital volunteering (p < .05).ConclusionsThe variability in patients’ interests suggests that different formats of volunteer support should be offered. Digital volunteering may become more important in the future, since many younger patients are interested in it.