Taking CHARGE: A self-management program for women following breast cancer treatment

Psychooncology. 2005 Sep;14(9):704-17. doi: 10.1002/pon.891.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate Taking CHARGE, a self-management intervention designed to facilitate successful transitions to survivorship after breast cancer treatment. The Taking CHARGE intervention involves a two-pronged approach building on self-regulation principles to (1) equip women with self-management skills to address concerns following breast cancer treatment, and (2) provide information about common survivorship topics. The program involved four intervention contacts, two small group meetings and two individualized telephone sessions, delivered by nurse/health educators. This paper focuses on the process evaluation findings from a preliminary test of the Taking CHARGE intervention conducted with 25 women, aged 34-66 years, completing breast cancer treatment, who were randomly assigned to the intervention group. The process evaluation was conducted to obtain systematic information about the relevance and usefulness of the self-regulation approach, informational aspects, and program delivery. The findings indicated that intervention group participants found the Taking CHARGE program to be timely, relevant, and to have high utility in dealing with concerns that exist following breast cancer treatment. The process evaluation findings provide early evidence of the usefulness of the Taking CHARGE intervention for successful transition to survivorship following breast cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Adult
  • Aftercare / methods
  • Aftercare / psychology*
  • Aged
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Female
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Humans
  • Internal-External Control
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Psychotherapy, Group
  • Quality of Life / psychology
  • Self Care*
  • Self Efficacy
  • Self-Help Groups
  • Sick Role*
  • Social Support
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Telephone