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The practical challenges of recruitment and retention when providing psychotherapy to advanced breast cancer patients

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Abstract

Goals of work

The goal of the present study was to investigate recruitment issues relevant to psychotherapy trials for metastatic cancer patients. First, we undertook a literature review of the psychotherapy intervention research for metastatic cancer patients. Second, we piloted pragmatic recruitment methods for a couples’ intervention for women with metastatic breast cancer and their partners.

Methods

An extensive literature search was conducted to identify psychotherapy trials involving people with metastatic cancer published in peer-reviewed journals. Study characteristics and recruitment methodologies were examined. In the pilot study, we trialled the recruitment strategies of approaching participants at outpatients’ appointments, via letter, referral from the treating team and through direct advertising using two community support services.

Results

The literature search identified 1,905 potentially relevant articles, which were narrowed to 18 studies specifically involving metastatic cancer patients involving a professionally trained facilitator and a specified theoretical orientation. Limited information was found on recruitment rates and the success of recruitment strategies. Barriers to recruitment identified in the literature included degree of patient illness, lack of interest/perceived benefit, insufficient time, socio-demographic factors and negative clinician attitudes. Our pilot study identified 72 eligible couples of which 66 were approached. Our recruitment strategies resulted in six couples consenting (9.1%) but only three couples completing the study (4.5%). The main reasons for study refusal were the intervention was not needed, lack of interest, insufficient time, patient illness and travel distance.

Conclusions

Recruitment for couple-based psychotherapy interventions is challenging. More work is required on developing acceptable and feasible recruitment processes for metastatic cancer patients to be able to access support.

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Fig. 1

Notes

  1. A government funded state-wide community information and support service for breast cancer.

  2. A national information and support organisation for Australian’s affected by breast cancer.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Peter MacCallum Foundation and The Pratt Foundation Harnessing Inner Strength initiative. We would like to thank Enza De Pino, Research Assistant, for her work on this project. We wish to acknowledge the support of BreaCan and BCNA in enabling us to advertise and promote our research to their members. Finally, we acknowledge and appreciate the participants in this study for contributing their time.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Clinical Psychology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Ann Boonzaier, Annabel Pollard & Maria Ftanou

  2. The Department of Psychiatry, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Jeremy W. Couper

  3. The Department of Nursing and Supportive Care Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Penelope Schofield

  4. The Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Linda Mileshkin

  5. The Department of Surgical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Michael Henderson

  6. Department of Clinical Psychology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1 A’Beckett Street, Melbourne, VIC, 8006, Australia

    Annabel Pollard

Authors
  1. Ann Boonzaier
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  2. Annabel Pollard
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  3. Maria Ftanou
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  4. Jeremy W. Couper
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  5. Penelope Schofield
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  6. Linda Mileshkin
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  7. Michael Henderson
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Annabel Pollard.

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Boonzaier, A., Pollard, A., Ftanou, M. et al. The practical challenges of recruitment and retention when providing psychotherapy to advanced breast cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 18, 1605–1613 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0979-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-010-0979-6

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