Background: During follow-up of breast cancer patients there is a high need for psychosocial support and information. Therefore, group medical consultations (GMCs) have been introduced. A GMC provides individual medical visits by the clinician conducted within a group, which is led by a behavioral health professional. This 90 minute group-visit with ~8 patients gives patients the opportunity to spend more time with their clinician as well as to learn from other patients experiencing similar topics. However, it should be noted that group visits may also increase distress and anxiety.
Methods: In a multicenter pilot study 29 breast cancer survivors participated once in a GMC instead of an individual visit.
Results: The mean patient satisfaction was 4.0 (sd 0.9) on a 5-point scale. 66% would choose a GMC in the future again. 86% experienced support from other patients. According to patients less topics were discussed during the GMC than reported by professionals.
Conclusions: GMCs are feasible and well-received. However, patients are selective in recalling medical information. Also, information needs are changing constantly. Therefore ‘My Home GMC’ is developed. Using this specially programmed iPad following the GMC, patients can join virtual group meetings or have email contact with other GMC-participants and a nurse at times and places they prefer. Additional information will be provided via ‘My Home GMC’. This approach provides a unique combination of social support and professional education in an e-health environment. A future RCT will evaluate the effectiveness of GMCs combined with ‘My Home GMC’, in which the intervention group (n=65) will participate in a GMC and ‘My Home GMC’, while the control group (n=65) will receive care as usual. Outcome measures will be empowerment and psychological distress. In addition, the effects on cancer worry, information exchange, treatment compliance, patient satisfaction, quality of life and cost-effectiveness will be evaluated.