Psycho-Educational Program in Increasing Knowledge and Satisfaction and Decreasing Distress in Younger Patients With Cancer Receiving Treatment

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Providing a psycho-educational group to young adults while examining the feasibility of such a group with patients on treatment.

II. Examining effectiveness of the program through evaluating pre-post changes in participant distress, evaluating increases in participant' knowledge regarding disease issues and coping, and evaluating participant satisfaction.

OUTLINE:

Patients undergo psycho-educational program comprising medical/symptom management and communication with a medical team, coping skills, self image, and relationships and communication for 1.5 hours once weekly for 6 weeks.

After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up for 30 days.

Inclusion criteria

• Currently in active treatment (diagnosed and receiving treatment within 2 weeks of initial study enrollment; active treatment includes currently receiving any of the following: chemotherapy, radiation therapy, maintenance drugs, surgery, clinical trial enrollment, or current relapse/secondary malignancy)
• Inpatient or outpatient
• Cancer diagnosis
• Physician approval
• Informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Significant psychiatric or developmental issues, as determined by screening interview conducted by psychologist or clinical social worker
• Currently off treatment (longer than 2 weeks at the time of enrollment)
• In isolation or with isolation precautions
• Non-English speaking