"Ariadne's Thread": Psycho-educational Empowerment Intervention for Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Psycho-oncology
• Health Psychology

Background:

• Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) presents significant psycho-social challenges for patients.
• Empowerment and psychological support are crucial for managing MBC.
• Existing interventions may not fully address the holistic needs of MBC patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of the "Ariadne's thread" pilot psycho-educational intervention for MBC patients.
• To evaluate patient satisfaction with the intervention.
• To determine the perceived benefits and impact on empowerment among MBC patients.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative (attendance, requests, questionnaires) and qualitative (interviews, focus groups) data.
• Pilot intervention involved 8 online meetings with psycho-oncologists and physicians.
• Data collected from patients and healthcare professionals involved in the intervention.

Main Results:

• The "Ariadne's thread" intervention demonstrated feasibility and sustainability for patients, professionals, and the healthcare organization.
• Patients reported significant benefits, including improved doctor-patient relationships, illness acceptance, and enhanced hope.
• Questionnaires indicated improvements in patient empowerment and overall satisfaction.

Conclusions:

• "Ariadne's thread" is an effective psycho-educational intervention for addressing the needs of MBC patients.
• The program shows potential for broader application in similar oncology settings with possible modifications.
• This intervention supports patient empowerment and psychological well-being in the context of advanced cancer.