Kairos Therapeutic Retreat, Austin, TX
Michelle Payan , Rebecca J. Muñoz , Robin Richardson , Rebekkah Schear
Background: The cancer care system has struggled for decades to deliver meaningful post-tx survivorship care, relying on patient uptake of clinical guidelines for surveillance, and SCPs for health promotion and managing late effects. On paper, we know how to support survivors. However, there is a lack of “comprehensive guidance on patient-centered practices that specifically address how cancer patients experience their care or how to personalize survivorship so that it meets patients’ unique needs” (Mead et al, 2020). Tofill this gap, we developed an evidence-based, community-delivered model for whole-person healing throughout acute and extended survivorship. Methods: We co-designed a new care model with 24 survivors, shaped by their lived experience & unmet needs. The pilot comprised: A) 2-day in-person retreat to evaluate healing modalities (incl. yoga, journaling, group discussion, nutrition coaching, songwriting); B) a 3-hour human-centered design workshop defining “thriving,” mapping survivorship challenges/gaps & crafting an idealcare map; C) 8-12 weeks of facilitated organic social engagement with their retreat cohort. We conducted the intervention 3x (6/2003-3/2024) with 7-9 participants aged 29-60. Pre-intervention & 4-month post-intervention surveys measured QOL, symptoms & self-efficacy. Participants also did a qualitative survey post-intervention, sharing preferences & activity impact. Results: The model addresses cancer's proximal/distal psychological, emotional, physical & existential impacts. It builds a connected survivor community & drives long-term behavior change with group accountability. The intervention: A) reduced fears of recurrence & preoccupation with functional concerns & indicated positive changes in self-concept; B) improved social connectedness. 86% agreed/strongly agreed they felt seen & understood; 100% strongly agreed that they can implement 1+ new wellness/healing tool in daily life; 80% increase in confidence keeping emotional distress from interfering with life; 40% reduction in perception of cancer/Tx causing negative changes in self-concept; 60% increase in confidence keeping fatigue from interfering with life. Conclusions: A new model of post-treatment survivorship care is needed that aligns with oncology and primary care delivery, builds on the modern wellness movement, and is able to be sustained in daily life. Survivorship can be delivered in the community leveraging in-person/virtual retreats, workshops, apps and social networks. This intervention shows potential to transform survivorship care delivery & radically improve outcomes.
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Abstract Disclosures
2019 ASCO Annual Meeting
First Author: Hira Latif
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