Professionally led support groups for people living with advanced or metastatic cancer: a systematic scoping review of effectiveness and factors critical to implementation success within real-world healthcare and community settings

Zhicheng Li; Kitty-Jean Laginha; Frances Boyle; Michele Daly; Fiona Dinner; Pia Hirsch; Kim Hobbs; Laura Kirsten; Carolyn Mazariego; Ros McAuley; Mary O'Brien; Amanda O'Reilly; Natalie Taylor; Lisa Tobin; Sophie Lewis; Andrea L Smith

doi:10.1007/s11764-023-01515-w

Professionally led support groups for people living with advanced or metastatic cancer: a systematic scoping review of effectiveness and factors critical to implementation success within real-world healthcare and community settings

J Cancer Surviv. 2024 Jan 8. doi: 10.1007/s11764-023-01515-w. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Zhicheng Li¹, Kitty-Jean Laginha², Frances Boyle², Michele Daly³, Fiona Dinner⁴, Pia Hirsch⁵, Kim Hobbs⁶, Laura Kirsten⁷, Carolyn Mazariego⁸, Ros McAuley⁹, Mary O'Brien⁵, Amanda O'Reilly¹⁰, Natalie Taylor⁸, Lisa Tobin¹¹, Sophie Lewis², Andrea L Smith¹²

Affiliations

¹ The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Rm 111b, Edward Ford Building (A27), Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia.
² Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
³ Cancer Institute NSW, Consumer Advisory Panel, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁴ Thursday Girls Group, Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Advanced Breast Cancer Group, Brisbane, Qld, Australia.
⁶ Westmead Centre for Gynaecological Cancers, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
⁷ Nepean Cancer Care Centre, Penrith, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
⁹ , Melbourne, Australia.
¹⁰ , Sydney, NSW, Australia.
¹¹ Breast Cancer Network Australia, Camberwell, VIC, Australia.
¹² The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Rm 111b, Edward Ford Building (A27), Camperdown, NSW, 2006, Australia. andrea.smith@sydney.edu.au.

PMID: 38191752
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-023-01515-w

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the effectiveness of professionally led support groups for people with advanced or metastatic cancer, and identify factors critical to implementation success within real-world settings.

Methods: Databases (MEDLINE; PsychINFO; CINAHL) and grey literature were searched for empirical publications and evaluations. Articles were screened for eligibility and data systematically extracted, charted and summarised using a modified scoping review methodology. Implementation factors were mapped using Proctor's implementation framework and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0.

Results: A total of 1691 publications were identified; 19 were eligible for inclusion (8 randomised controlled trials, 7 qualitative studies, 2 cohort studies, 2 mixed methods studies). Most (n=18) studies focused on tumour-specific support groups. Evidence supported professionally led support groups in reducing mood disturbances (n=5), distress (i.e. traumatic stress, depression) (n=4) and pain (n=2). Other benefits included social connectedness (n=6), addressing existential distress (n=5), information and knowledge (n=6), empowerment and sense of control (n=2), relationships with families (n=2) and communication with health professionals (n=2). Thirteen studies identified factors predicting successful adoption, implementation or sustainment, including acceptability (n=12; 63%), feasibility (n=6; 32%) and appropriateness (n=1; 5%). Key determinants of successful implementation included group leaders' skills/experience, mode of operation, travelling distance, group composition and membership and resourcing.

Conclusions: Professionally led tumour-specific support groups demonstrate effectiveness in reducing mood disturbances, distress and pain among patients. Successful implementation hinges on factors such as leadership expertise, operational methods and resource allocation.

Implications for cancer survivors: Professionally led support groups may fill an important gap in supportive care for people with advanced or metastatic cancer.

Keywords: Advanced cancer; Metastatic cancer; Metastatic survivorship; Peer support; Psychosocial support; Support groups.

Publication types

Review