For cancer survivors living with ostomies, adapting to life post-surgery involves significant adjustments to their health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and daily routines. Often, patients and their families navigate self-management through trial and error, highlighting the need for structured support.
This study explored the effectiveness of a five-session ostomy self-care program grounded in the Chronic Care Model. This longitudinal pilot study aimed to evaluate the program’s impact on improving HRQOL and self-management skills among cancer survivors with ostomies. Participants engaged in surveys after each session, and their outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at a 6-month follow-up using several validated instruments. These included the Patient Activation Measure, self-efficacy scales, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Ways of Coping questionnaire, the Group Health Association of America Satisfaction with ostomy care survey, and the City of Hope Quality of Life Ostomy questionnaire. Paired t-tests were used to analyze changes from pre- to post-intervention and pre-intervention to follow-up, while text responses were analyzed to identify key themes and recommendations.
Thirty-eight individuals participated in the program, with the majority having a history of rectal cancer (60.5%) or bladder cancer (28.9%). The program received high ratings from participants, scoring between 4.4 and 4.8 out of 5. Feedback from participants emphasized the value of group forums and a desire for more participants and increased hands-on training. Statistically significant and sustained improvements were observed across multiple survey scores. These included enhanced patient activation (p = 0.0004), increased self-efficacy (p = 0.006), and improved total HRQOL (p = 0.01), physical well-being (p = 0.005), and social well-being (p = 0.002). Notably, survivor anxiety showed a significant reduction by the 6-month follow-up (p = 0.047).
The findings of this pilot study indicate that implementing a chronic care ostomy self-management program offers substantial benefits to cancer survivors as they adapt to living with a stoma. Integrating such programs within community settings would provide crucial support and improve the quality of life for a broader population of cancer survivors facing these challenges.
