Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/42977

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Title
One-to-one volunteer support programs for people with cancer: a review of the literature
Author/Creator
Macvean, Michelle L.;  White, Victoria M.;  Sanson-Fisher, Rob
Institution
The University of Newcastle. Faculty of Health, School of Medicine and Public Health
Description
Objective: To conduct a systematic review of literature reporting on the use of volunteers in support programs for people with cancer. Methods: PsycINFO, Medline and CINAHL were used to identify papers published up to April 2007 reporting one-to-one support programs using volunteers. Program data were extracted from the papers, which were rated on research quality and descriptions of the program, volunteers and support recipients. Results: Twenty-eight papers were reviewed. Nineteen (69%) reported peer-support programs, with four (14%) pertaining to the Reach to Recovery program for women with breast cancer, and eight (28%) describing other peer-support programs for women with breast cancer. Few papers described the programs sufficiently to enable a good understanding of support recipients, volunteers, and what transpired between volunteers and support recipients. Twenty papers (71%) were research studies: 10 (36%) with one group descriptive data, 6 (21%) were nonrandomized comparative studies and 4 (14%) were randomized controlled trials. Conclusion: While most papers reported that programs were beneficial, few presented data from studies using rigorous research methodologies to support these claims. Practice implications: Using volunteers in cancer care may have merits; however, papers need to provide more information regarding these programs and further evidence is required to determine their effectiveness.
Relation
Patient Education and Counseling Vol. 70, Issue 1, p. 10-24
Publisher Link
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2007.08.005
Date
2008
Publisher
Elsevier
Keyword(s)
cancer;  volunteers;  support programs;  review
Resource Type
journal article
Identifier
http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/42977
Identifier
ISSN:0738-3991
Reviewed
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Subject
"Patient Education and Counseling"
 
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