Participation In Support Groups Research Articles

Tuberculosis treatment outcomes and patient support groups, southern India.

To assess treatment outcomes in tuberculosis patients participating in support group meetings in five districts of Karnataka and Telangana states in southern India. Tuberculosis patients from five selected districts who began treatment in 2019 were offered regular monthly support group meetings, with a focus on patients in urban slum areas with risk factors for adverse outcomes. We tracked the patients' participation in these meetings and extracted treatment outcomes from the Nikshay national tuberculosis database for the same patients in 2021. We compared treatment outcomes based on attendance of the support groups meetings. Of 30 706 tuberculosis patients who started treatment in 2019, 3651 (11.9%) attended support groups meetings. Of patients who attended at least one support meeting, 94.1% (3426/3639) had successful treatment outcomes versus 88.2% (23 745/26 922) of patients who did not attend meetings (adjusted odds ratio, aOR: 2.44; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.10-2.82). The odds of successful treatment outcomes were higher in meeting participants than non-participants for all variables examined including: age ≥ 60 years (aOR: 3.19; 95% CI: 2.26-4.51); female sex (aOR: 3.33; 95% CI: 2.46-4.50); diabetes comorbidity (aOR: 3.03; 95% CI: 1.91-4.81); human immunodeficiency virus infection (aOR: 3.73; 95% CI: 1.76-7.93); tuberculosis retreatment (aOR: 1.69; 1.22-2.33); and drug-resistant tuberculosis (aOR: 1.93; 95% CI: 1.21-3.09). Participation in support groups for tuberculosis patients was significantly associated with successful tuberculosis treatment outcomes, especially among high-risk groups. Expanding access to support groups could improve tuberculosis treatment outcomes at the population level.

Be Together, Run More: Enhancing Group Participation in Fitness Technology

Individuals are increasingly using novel fitness technologies, such as running applications (apps), to support their workouts. The literature has primarily focused on the use of fitness apps at the individual level (i.e., to improve individuals’ exercise levels) and few studies have investigated the role of fitness apps in facilitating group exercise. Consequently, there is a paucity of information on how to enhance the exercise participation of individuals using fitness apps through the use of groups (i.e., how to entice more individuals to engage in exercise). We selected a running app as the context and focused on a particular feature of this app called “Running Spot,” which facilitates members’ offline group engagement, a topic that has thus far received scant attention in the literature. Drawing on the perspective of psychological distance and relational cohesion theory, we propose that the Running Spot feature facilitating offline group engagement improved group participation in running. To advance this line of research, we utilized a panel dataset of 151 running groups from the running app platform over a period of 38 weeks. The aim was to empirically evaluate the effects of offline group engagement facilitation (e.g., Running Spot) using a combination of the difference-indifferences approach and the propensity score matching technique. Our findings suggest that Running Spot indeed promoted groups’ participation in running. Furthermore, the impact of Running Spot was magnified with smaller groups and groups that were moderately closely located to the designated running spots. Our study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on fitness technologies by revealing ways to support group participation and uncovering the complex impact of offline group engagement facilitation (e.g., Running Spot). Our study has important implications for fitness app developers in that it demonstrates that features facilitating offline group engagement should be prioritized to improve group participation in fitness activities.

Enhanced Adherence Counselling, Support Groups and Viral Load Suppression amongst Adolescents in a Tertiary Health Care Facility in Cameroon

Globally, HIV viral load suppression rate which is an indirect measure of the efficacy of antiretroviral (ART) medication is 47% and 52% in Africa. In Cameroon, the viral load (VL) suppression rate is 44.7% and poor adherence is widely documented as being responsible for the large gap in VL Suppression. Enhanced adherence counselling (EAC) sessions, and enrolment and participation in support groups are specific interventions to improve ART adherence and improve viral load suppression.

Burden of caregiving of alcohol related liver disease patients: a possible role of training and caregiver groups frequency. Proposal of a method, preliminary results.

The patient with alcohol related liver disease (ALD) is an extremely complex patient who can be affected by various problems: alcohol use disorders (AUDs) (intoxication or withdrawal syndrome), psychopathological manifestations, hepatic encephalopathy (HE), family and social discomfort. Burden of caregiving for this type of patient is particularly severe. For this reason we propose our own working model. Thirty-one informal caregivers (ICs) of patients with ALD (28 females; mean age: 51±11) recruited in the period September-November 2021 followed prospectively were evaluated retrospectively. Those who completed all the steps (initial information/ training meeting), participation in support groups for caregivers and participation in self-help groups for AUD (club of alcoholics in treatment, anonymous family members, other realities) were selected (31/71: 43%). ICs underwent Zarit Burden Interview and a semi-structured interview. From the semi-structured interview, emotional, organizational, but also constructive reflections emerge. Zarit Score (ZS) was found to be light or nil in the 13% (4/31), moderate in the 22.5% (7/31), severe in the 32% (10/31) and very serious in the 32% (10/31). The parameters that most influenced initial ZS are the presence of HE and primitive psychiatric comorbidity (PC). By dividing the caregivers into two groups (<or equal 40 or >40) odds ratio is 2.4231 (95% CI: 0.4059-14.4637) in the presence of HE and odds ratio is 5.3846 (95% CI: 0.5666 to 51.1738) in the presence of PC. After the frequency to the caregiver groups (CGs) (at least 4) the ZS is significantly decreased (49.9±18 vs. 34±11; t=4.1966; P<0.0001) and this regardless of the presence of HE, PC or active alcohol consumption. While waiting to increase the number of cases and to submit it to a more in-depth verification, we suggest to other health organizations to use and verify this organizational/ relational method for primary ICs, in an attempt to optimize the health and social health activity in a complex medical sector (ALD) in constant growth.

Cancer care beyond the clinic: An analysis of participation at The Gathering Place, a stand-alone cancer support community.

214 Background: A wealth of published data exists highlighting the benefits of alternative and supportive therapies when used in combination with traditional medical approaches for individuals diagnosed with cancer. Many physical and emotional symptoms, along with quality of life, can be improved through exercise, artistic expression, mind-body practices and support group participation. While many of these services are offered through healthcare systems or large national foundations, fewer community-run organizations exist. The Gather Place (TGP) uniquely serves the Greater Cleveland area at two stand-alone locations. A wide variety of programs and services are offered, free-of-charge, to those affected by cancer. Since spring of 2020, most services have been provided virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While few studies have evaluated predictors of support group utilization, there is limited data on the demographics of participants at individual support communities. Methods: De-identified, retrospective data was gathered from 04/01/2021 to 03/31/2022. Participant data including age, gender, ethnicity, residential zip code, cancer type, treatment center, date of first attendance, programs attended, and frequency of program attendance were collected and analyzed. Results: 1,494 participants with cancer utilized services at TGP with varying rates of unknown data among each category. Educational opportunities, support groups and one-on-one emotional support sessions were most frequently attended. Female involvement was greater than males (83.9% v. 15.7%), with higher participation among Caucasians compared to African Americans (79.5% v. 16.2%). 67.1% of participants resided in zip codes above the median household income of Cuyahoga County. Participants with breast and gynecologic cancers made up the majority (44.3% &amp; 10.1%), while those with cutaneous, head/neck and hepatobiliary malignancies comprised the smallest distribution (1.6%, 1.7% &amp; 1.8%). Conclusions: TGP is a unique organization unaffiliated with a major healthcare system providing nutrition, fitness, healing arts, education and individual/group support programs. Despite a high incidence of prostate and lung cancer diagnoses in Northeast Ohio, participants with these malignancies were a small percentage of total attendees, differing from the high disease incidence and program participation seen in patients with breast cancer. As information was gathered solely during the COVID-19 pandemic when program delivery shifted to the virtual setting, racial or income disparities reported here may reflect similar disparities seen in tele-health during the pandemic. The gaps in utilization we identified highlight opportunities for targeted areas of improved education and referral.

Economic empowerment of the pilot reintegration program for female genital fistula survivors in Kenya during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ObjectiveTo determine whether a pilot reintegration program for female genital fistula survivors that included a combination of financial support, psychosocial support, and mentoring would result in their long-term economic empowerment during the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsNine fistula survivors participated in a 29-month pilot reintegration program offered by Kenya Quilts for Empowerment (KQFE), a registered Community Based Organization in Kenya. Originally, the program was intended to last for 18 months, but as a result of the pandemic, this was extended to achieve the long-term economic empowerment of women. The program was based on best practices for poverty alleviation that included multiple sources of income, psychosocial support, and mentoring, sustained over the entire 29-month period. All the women were severely impoverished at the baseline assessment, with one having some savings, and a few having productive assets, which were primarily chickens. Financial training and an initial non-refundable cash transfer provided start-up funds for small businesses; these initially flourished before floundering during the pandemic and eventually recovering. Funds were also used to buy livestock. A key component of the program was the provision of national health insurance for each woman and her family, which helped them stay healthy without having to sell any income-generating livestock. Other key components were the psychosocial support and mentoring provided within their support group. After 29 months, every woman had achieved long-term economic empowerment and “graduated” to become a KQFE ambassador, tasked with identifying fistula survivors within their communities, and referring them for surgery and participation in a reintegration support group.

Rates and Determinants of Retention on ART Among Orphans and Vulnerable Children Living With HIV in Tanzania.

Despite the global progress in response to HIV and AIDS, notable challenges remain for children, especially identification, linkage, and retention in HIV care and treatment services. To succeed in pediatric HIV programming requires the linkage and retention of the children in those services over time. This study assessed the level of retention to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and its associated factors among orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV (OVCLHIV) in Tanzania. Data were obtained from the USAID Kizazi Kipya project that collected pediatric ART data from October 2017 to October 2019 in 81 district councils of Tanzania. Community-based volunteers supported the linkage and retention of the OVCLHIV on ART. Analysis of on-ART status was conducted in a cohort of OVCLHIV aged 0–20 years enrolled in the project and monitored for 24 months. OVCLHIV who remained on ART until the end of the follow-up period were referred to as “retained,” otherwise, “not retained”. Multivariable analysis was conducted using logistic regression, adjusting for baseline characteristics. Of the 5,304 OVCLHIV analyzed, the mean age was 13.1 years, 51.5% were female, and 72.2% were living with female caregivers. Their overall rate of retention on ART over the 24 months was 86.7%. Multivariable analysis showed that as the higher frequency of home visit by the project staff increased, the likelihood of retention increased by 8% [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.08, 95% CI 1.06–1.11, p < 0.001]. Membership in people living with HIV (PLHIV) support groups was associated with a higher likelihood of retention compared to nonmembership (aOR = 3.31, 95% CI 2.60–4.21, p < 0.001). Children in larger family size were 22% less likely to sustain ART (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI 0.72–0.84, p < 0.001). Urban OVCLHIV were 18% less likely to remain on ART than their rural counterparts (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI 0.69–0.98, p = 0.030). Remaining on ART was 49% more likely for OVC in economically better-off households than those in destitute households (aOR = 1.49, 95% CI 1.22–1.81, p < 0.001). Male OVC were 17% less likely to be retained on ART than their female counterparts (aOR = 0.83, 95% CI 0.71–0.99, p = 0.033). Community-based OVC support resulted in a high pediatric retention rate over the 24 months of follow-up. While key enablers of retention were higher frequency of home visits by the project volunteer, participation in PLHIV support groups, and better economic status, large family sizes, urban place of residence, and male gender of the OVC were barriers. This study brings useful evidence to inform strategies for advancing retention of OVCLHIV on ART for their better health outcomes and overall wellbeing.

Determinants of Dietary Adherence Among Chinese Patients After Bariatric Surgery Based on the Attitude-Social Influence-Efficacy Model.

To explore main determinants of dietary adherence among Chinese patients after bariatric surgery based on the Attitude-Social influence-Efficacy (ASE) model. A cross-sectional survey was conducted by using convenience sampling method to select 288 participants in a tertiary hospital in Jiangsu, China. General information and disease-related information were collected as well as applying the Dietary Adherence Scale after Bariatric Surgery (DASBS) and Attitude-Social influence-Efficacy Questionnaire after Bariatric Surgery (ASEQBS). Univariate analysis, correlation analysis, and multivariate analysis were used to identify determinants of dietary adherence among patients after bariatric surgery. A total of 288 questionnaires were effectively collected. The mean DASBS score was 54.90 ± 10.08 among post-bariatric patients. Univariate analysis results showed that education level, time since surgery, smoking, exercise, participation in peer support groups, and participation in nutrition counseling had significant effects on postoperative diet adherence level of patients (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis results showed that the total score of dietary adherence was positively correlated with the total score of intention, attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy, and the correlation coefficients were 0.511, 0.550, 0.460, and 0.484, respectively (P < 0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that time since surgery, attitude, intention, social influence, exercise, and self-efficacy entered the regression equation (P < 0.05). The standardized regression coefficients of attitude and intention are 0.237 and 0.196, respectively. The regression model could explain 44.0% of the total variation. The dietary adherence of Chinese post-bariatric patients is at an upper-middle level, which needs to be further improved. Time since surgery, exercise, intention, attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy had significant effects on patients' dietary adherence. Attitude had the greatest effect on dietary adherence, followed by intention. The results shed light on that these factors should be emphasized to take personalized intervention strategy in designing dietary intervention program, in order to improve the patient's dietary adherence and surgical outcomes.

Experiences, Motivations, and Perceived Impact of Participation in a Facebook-Based Support Group for Caregivers of Children and Youth With Complex Care Needs: Qualitative Descriptive Study.

BackgroundCaregivers of children and youth with complex care needs (CCNs) often require considerable support to ensure the well-being of their families. Social media present an opportunity to better support caregivers through computer-mediated communication for social support. Peer-to-peer (P2P) support groups are a way in which caregivers are accessing needed support; however, the experiences of caregivers who use these groups and the perceived impact that participation has on caregivers of children and youth with CCNs are not known.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the experiences of caregivers of children and youth with CCNs who use a Facebook-based P2P support group to communicate, understand their motivations to use the group, and investigate its perceived impact on knowledge of programs and services and sense of community belonging among caregivers.MethodsA qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the experiences and perceived impact of a Facebook-based (Meta Platforms) P2P support group for caregivers of children and youth with CCNs in New Brunswick, Canada. The group was launched on the web in October 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, and resulted in 108 caregivers joining the group. A web-based survey was distributed, and semistructured interviews were conducted in February 2021 with a subsample of members. Thematic analysis was used to identify and report patterns related to caregivers’ experiences and perceived impacts of participation.ResultsA subsample of members in the Facebook group completed the web-based survey (39/108, 36.1%) and interviews (14/108, 12.9%). A total of 5 themes emerged from the interviews: safe space, informational support and direction, web-based connection with peers, impact on knowledge of programs and services, and degree of community belonging. Participants reported joining the group to obtain geography-specific information support and connect with peers. Many participants reported an improvement in their knowledge of programs and services and felt connected to the community; however, the short observation period and diversity among the caregiver population were cited as barriers to community belonging.ConclusionsSocial media present an important opportunity to facilitate the exchange of support between patients and caregivers in an accessible and curated environment. Findings from this study suggest that involvement in web-based, geography-specific P2P support groups can influence perceived knowledge of services and resources and sense of community belonging among caregivers of children and youth with CCNs. Furthermore, this study provides insight into the experiences and motivations of caregivers of children and youth with CCNs who participate in a private social media environment.

Participating in Bariatric Support Groups: the Effects on Self-management Changes.

This study focused on changes in self-management as the main outcome of participation in bariatric psychoeducational support groups. We assessed the contribution of changes in cognitive and emotional variables to improved self-management among 155 participants. Data for this longitudinal study were collected at the beginning (time 1) and at the end (time 2) of the support groups' 10-session program. The structured questionnaire included self-management (the Bariatric Surgery Self-Management Behaviors Questionnaire), cognitive variables (eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, weight control motivation), and emotional variables (positive and negative affect, emotional eating), as well as background variables. Significant improvements in self-management and in eating self-efficacy, eating awareness, and emotional eating were found at time 2. The hierarchical regression model showed that the improvements in eating self-efficacy, and in positive and negative affect, contributed significantly to improved self-management. Additionally, a modification effect of negative affect was found. We conclude that participation in psychoeducational bariatric support groups is beneficial to improving one's self-management.

770 Increasing SOAR Participation in a Burn Center through a Social Work Team Approach

IntroductionPeer support has long been used in Burn Centers through organized support groups and programs like Phoenix Society for Burn Survivor’s SOAR (Survivors Offering Assistance in Recovery) individual peer support, often led by Social Workers (SW). The addition of an ambulatory SW in partnership with an inpatient SW allowed our Burn Center to continue participation in the group and individual peer support offerings despite the simultaneous COVID-19 pandemic. We sought to examine participation in support services using our dual SW model.MethodsPrior to 2020, our ABA verified Burn Center only had an inpatient SW who was able to engage our admitted patient population to support services. With the addition of an ambulatory SW, we have been able to target support group participation in the larger ambulatory population. Our dual SW model allows for continued recruitment to our support services; meeting the patient’s needs at each stage of recovery. This tag team approach, coupled with increased use of technology driven by the pandemic, has shown to increase the average number of participants. We reviewed our support group participation and attendance over the past 2 years.ResultsIn calendar year 2020 with one SW facilitator, only 14 virtual support groups were held with an attendance average of 4-5 participants and 22 individual peer support visits. In only the first 9 months of calendar year 2021 with the addition of a second SOAR trained SW, 18 support groups were completed virtually with new inpatient, in-person participation. The participation rate of now bi-monthly support groups has increased to 9 participants per support group average. At this continued rate, we expect to serve 216 attendees per year through support group. In this same 9-month span 51 SOAR individual peer support visits (12 in-person and 39 virtual), were conducted. Which is an increase from the 22 total peer support visits facilitated in 2020.ConclusionsAn additional SOAR trained SW to our Burn Center has increased participation and availability of support groups and individual peer support visits. Peer support promotes socialization and can provide healing for the burn patients and their families in a meaningful and profound way. Burn centers must continue to prioritize the role of the clinical SW to ensure programs such as SOAR support group and individual peer support can be facilitated to ensure an environment that fosters psychological and emotional healing.

768 The Significant Impact of Having a Dedicated Ambulatory Clinical Social Worker in the Burn Clinic

IntroductionA licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) has been recognized as an essential role within the Burn Center inpatient multidisciplinary team. However, for ambulatory patients facing acute crisis, resources can be scarce; relying on clinic nursing staff or an inpatient LCSW to problem solve psychosocial concerns can leave large gaps of patient care unaddressed. An Ambulatory LCSW (ALCSW) assists transition of care working to prevent unnecessary Emergency Room visits and readmissions. We sought to examine our experience utilizing an ALCSW in the Burn Center.MethodsA full-time burn ALCSW position was approved in fall of 2020 at our ABA verified Burn Center. The role includes extensive assessments of mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and safety concerns, connecting clinic patients to resources for transportation, benefits, insurance coverage, employment, food, and housing. The ALCSW also conducts short term patient centered, family & group therapy sessions. A retrospective review was performed on duties of the ALCSW comparing 9 months (December-August) pre and post hire. Data collected included visit types, hours of patient care, and interventions performed.ResultsDuring the first 9 months, the ALCSW completed 1,008 patient encounters (approximately 25 hours of direct patient care per week) and 510 psychosocial assessments. In the first three months alone 258 substance use screens, 166 mental health assessments, 44 ASD/PTSD therapy sessions, 205 Homeless Shelter referrals and 128 community resource encounters were performed that would have otherwise been left unaddressed or added to the workload of our Burn Clinic RN or provider.The ALCSW was able to see up to 89.39% more patients per month (n=89) compared to the inpatient LCSW who only responding to clinic patients with emergent needs (n=13). The increase of ALCSW encounters showed a 35.37% increase of completed visits without IP admission (n=pre 665 vs post 1029), 39.73% decrease of IP admissions after clinic visit (n=pre 73 vs post 44), and 17.82% increase of patients without inpatient admissions entirely (n=pre 572 vs post 696). In addition, the added effort of an ambulatory LCSW, has increased SOAR support group participation by 60.13% in calendar year 2021 compared to calendar year 2020 (n= pre 63 vs post 158).ConclusionsHiring a dedicated Burn ALCSW can substantially increase the resources available to outpatients, fill voids of patient care, limit unnecessary hospital resources, and prevent admissions.

The effect of participating in support groups on relocation stress syndrome in residents of a nursing home: A single-blind randomized clinical trial

Background &amp; Aim: Relocation stress syndrome is one of the consequences of moving someone to a nursing home; it causes unbearable feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. However, it can be prevented by conducting proper and timely nursing interventions. The present study aimed to examine the effect of participation in support groups on relocation stress syndrome in residents of nursing homes.&#x0D; Methods &amp; Materials: In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, 32 elderly residents of Kahrizak nursing home were randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The intervention included holding support groups. Demographic information questionnaires, the short form of Geriatric Depression Scale (15-GDS), Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS), and the short form of University of California, Los Angeles, UCLA loneliness scale (ULS-8) were used to collect data. The data were then analyzed using statistical tests in SPSS software version 16.&#x0D; Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the mean scores of loneliness, depression, and anxiety between the two groups in the pre-test (p&gt; 0.05). The results of the ANCOVA test to compare the mean scores of loneliness, depression, and anxiety in the post-test with controlling pre-test scores revealed that the intervention was effective on depression (p&lt;0.001) and anxiety (p= 0.003), but it had no effects on loneliness (p= 0.156).&#x0D; Conclusion: The development and implementation of support group programs for the elderly in a nursing home could improve the outcomes of relocation stress syndrome in terms of depression and anxiety. Nonetheless, it had no effects on the outcome of loneliness. Therefore, it is recommended to implement this intervention for the elderly in a nursing home if the cost-benefit analysis is positive.

‘One-thousand miles and counting’: reflections on the trail to recovery

ABSTRACT While some studies have explored the effectiveness of self-directed participation in online support groups for survivors of cancer after treatment, there is a dearth of focus on participation in nontraditional support groups for extended periods of time, whether the individuals have ongoing treatment, metastatic cancer, or show no evidence of disease. This study is the second instalment of a longitudinal investigation into the benefits of a hiking programme for cancer survivors, four years after the original investigation. The purpose of the study is to determine whether participation in the hiking program contributes to members’ subjective sense of wellbeing and quality of life over the course of time.

Evaluating the contribution of virtual peer-led support to comprehensive prostate cancer (PCa ) care: The AnCan experience.

58 Background: Comprehensive care for PCa patients extends well beyond selecting therapies based on available guidelines. Patients should be supported to understand the disease, diagnostics, optimal treatment strategies, side-effects, avert morbidity and improve diet and exercise while combating stress. We present data supporting that patient participation in a video peer-led support group is integral to attaining these goals. Face-to-face peer groups are not readily accessible to many patients. AnCan has hosted virtual meeting support groups across the spectrum of malignancies and stages since 2010. We offer navigation, advocacy, and educational webinars. PCa is our cornerstone, including groups focusing on active surveillance/ high risk/recurrent/advanced disease, as well as under-60 patients. Methods: During spring 2021, a survey questionnaire focused on all disease stages was sent to 1174 men in the AnCan database; a second survey focused on active surveillance was send to 1200 active surveillance patients in the AnCan, Active Surveillance Patients International and Prostate Cancer International databases. We evaluated patient experience and how information acquired informed their treatment, interactions with their medical team, lifestyle, stress, and quality of life (QoL). Results: 238 responses were received for the AnCan survey, and 165 for the active aurveillance Survey, totaling. 389 independent responses. 228 (33%) were on Active Surveillance for low risk, and 93 (23%) had advanced PCa, largely distributed across North America. 154 (40%) repeatedly attend AnCan meetings. All (100%) indicated that meetings helped understand disease, navigate their treatment options, improve interaction with their medical teams and improve their quality of life (QoL). In the AnCan Suvey, 48 (19%) patients opted to move to different care teams and 32 (13 %) of those elected PCa specialists. 138 (58%) improved exercise, 90 (38%) improved diet, and 119 (50% ) reported stress reduction. 202 patients (85%) felt the groups to be welcoming, 102 (43%) connected with others, and 70 (30%) developed friendships. Of those who attend Active Surveillance meetings, 75 (68%) said that attendance helped them be their own best advocate, while 25 (23%) said that attendance informed them of new insights and treatments. Conclusions: The AnCan Support Group model increases patient knowledge, positively impacts treatment planning, and promotes lifestyle improvements while providing support to reduce stress, boosts confidence in navigating the disease, and improves QoL. AnCan empower patients to self-advocate and improve their disease experience. This is integral to optimize physician/patient interactions and improve outcomes. We advocate that virtual peer group attendance, based on our model, be included in NCCN treatment recommendations for PCa patients, especially with advanced disease.

Social support provided to bariatric surgery patients through a facebook group may improve weight loss outcomes.

BackgroundPatients’ social support has been shown to impact outcomes after bariatric surgery. We have previously shown that a Facebook group administered by bariatric providers offers an effective alternative social support mechanism to in-person support groups, with higher patient participation. Our aim was to determine whether participation in this Facebook group could improve patient outcomes after bariatric surgery.MethodsAfter institutional board approval, our center’s Facebook group members were electronically surveyed about their perceived value of group participation and their Facebook group usage frequency. We also collected patient age, sex, insurance, preoperative weight, type of procedure, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and weight loss from the electronic medical record. To assess the impact of Facebook group participation we compared patient outcomes between “frequent users” (those checking the Facebook group’s activity at least once a week), “infrequent users”, and a control group of all patients operated on during the year prior to the establishment of the Facebook group. The groups were compared after adjusting for potential confounding factors.Results250 out of 1400 Facebook group patients responded to the survey (18%). 195 patients were frequent and 55 were infrequent users. Outcomes were compared with 211 control patients. The groups did not differ in their baseline characteristics apart from their sex. Frequent users had a higher weight loss compared to the other groups up to 2 years postoperatively but no difference in the overall complications. On multivariable analysis, frequency of Facebook use was the main factor associated with 0.5-, 1-, and 2-year weight loss.ConclusionFrequent participation in a Facebook support group after bariatric surgery was associated with improved early weight loss outcomes. If additional longer-term studies confirm our findings, offering similar social support groups may become essential after bariatric surgery, especially during times of social isolation when in-person social support meetings may not be feasible.

The Use of an Incentive to Improve Breastfeeding Outcomes: The Effectiveness of Offering a Free Family YMCA Membership to Increase Support Group Participation.

Suboptimal breastfeeding can result in negative health consequences for mother and infant and economic consequences for families and communities. Breastfeeding outcomes improve when multifaceted interventions spanning the perinatal period are implemented. Incentives to increase participation in effective, existing community-based breastfeeding support programs have the potential to create behavioral change and improve breastfeeding outcomes but results to date are inconclusive. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effectiveness of offering a Young Men's Christian Association membership as an incentive to increase attendance at an existing breastfeeding support program to improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. This was a two-group, quasi-experimental study using demographic information and pre- and post-intervention participant surveys. Attendance at a breastfeeding support program was incentivized with an offer of a free family Young Men's Christian Association membership. Surveys and demographic information were used to compare attendance, maternal interest, and perceived significant other and family support for attendance with a non-incentivized control group in an adjacent city. The groups differed demographically and socioeconomically. Significantly more at-risk participants both attended the incentivized group and perceived support from their families to attend. There was a significant increase in the incentivized group's attendance: 62% (n = 26) of participants in the incentivized group attended three or more times compared to 36% (n = 50) of participants in the control group (p = .03). Both groups exceeded national breastfeeding averages for exclusive breastfeeding at six months. Offering an incentive increased breastfeeding support group attendance by participants at risk for suboptimal breastfeeding and improved their breastfeeding outcomes, thus closing the breastfeeding disparity gap in this population.

Needs of carers participating in support groups and caring for a person with dementia: A focused ethnographic study.

The aim is to explore and understand how support group participation meets carers' perceived needs for information and social and emotional support when caring for a person with dementia who lives at home. Focused ethnographic design. Participant observations and semi-structured interviews with 25 carers were conducted. An inductive content analysis of the data was performed. Two themes were identified: "Strengthening the sense of self" and "Managing uncertain benefits." Carers' level of information about dementia was partly met, thereby strengthening their sense of self and joy. Maintaining shared decision-making in financial matters was viewed as an expression of respect and reciprocity. Getting acquainted with peers and dementia coordinators was viewed as emotional and social support but was also used strategically to gain easier access to health care services. By fulfilling their needs, support group meetings became meaningful, which motivated carers to continue providing care.

Facebook Support Groups for Pediatric Rare Diseases: Cross-Sectional Study to Investigate Opportunities, Limitations, and Privacy Concerns.

BackgroundBecause of the nature of rare diseases with affected individuals being widely geographically dispersed, finding an in-person/offline support group itself can be a challenge. Affected individuals therefore turn to social networking platforms such as Facebook for online support groups.ObjectiveWe aim to put into perspective the opportunities Facebook offers as a tool for pediatric rare disease support groups by investigating its use, advantages, and limitations including privacy concerns. We analyze group accessibility and usage, advantages specific to rare diseases, perceived privacy, and views on using Facebook for communication between health professionals and parents, pharmaceutical companies, and study recruitment.MethodsWe contacted 12 Facebook support groups for 12 respective rare diseases with pediatric onset and invited group members to participate in a cross-sectional online survey.ResultsOf 231 respondents, 87.0% (n=201) of respondents were female, 12.6% (n=29) were male, and 0.4% reported another sex (n=1). Respondents’ mean age was 41.56 years (SD 9.375); 91.3% (n=211) of respondents were parents (183 mothers, 27 fathers, 1 other sex); 59.7% (n=138) reported a self-initiated search for the Facebook group, 24.2% (n=56) received recommendations from their health professionals, and 12.6% (n=29) recommendations from someone else affected by the disease. On average, support group members visited Facebook at least once a day, visited and passively participated (read/liked posts) several times a week, and participated actively (commented/posted) once a month. As much as 79.2% (183/231) agreed that they would like to have health professionals as members of the respective Facebook group. Group members expressed more concern about privacy issues on Facebook in general than in their respective Facebook support groups, with concerns mostly related to Facebook itself and nongroup members.ConclusionsOur study confirmed that Facebook enhances support group accessibility for parents of children with rare diseases. Group participants perceive a reduction and elimination of distance, a common challenge in rare disease, and Facebook support groups create an environment of perceived privacy. The group’s privacy setting can be a critical factor for active support group participation. Sharing personal information and pictures on Facebook is very common among group participants, which shows the importance of discussing and protecting children’s privacy rights in this context.Trial RegistrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00016067; https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00016067

Psychological Processes of Postpartum Mothers with Newborns Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

This research aims to explore the psychological processes of postpartum mothers during the admission of their newborns to the intensive care unit. It is hoped that the findings from this study will serve as a reference for clinical medical staff in providing individual and holistic patient care. Using grounded theory methodology, we collected data through semistructured, one-to-one in-depth interviews. When data saturation occurred, 12 participants were involved through the constant comparative analysis process. The psychological processes consisted of a core category and three main categories. The core category was "worrying about the baby and striving to fulfill maternal responsibilities." The three main categories were as follows:"impact on the maternal role,""recognition of the maternal identity,"and "exhibition of maternal role."The entire process may be affected by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, such as breast milk supply, timing of skin-to-skin contact, seriousness of the newborn's health conditions, the support system, and the style of postpartum confinement care. It is recommended that the neonatal intensive care unit should adopt family-centered care, taking an initiative to empathize and care for the mother, assisting skin-to-skin contact for the mother and baby as soon as possible, maintaining established breastfeeding, providing the correct concept of postpartum care, and encouraging participation in support groups. These activities can reduce the impact of the situation on the maternal role and improve maternal identity recognition.