Ostomy Telehealth for Cancer Survivors: The Ostomy Self-Management Training (OSMT) Trial

Abstract

Purpose: Throughout life’s journey, people may acquire a variety of different diseases that may cause an individual to need an ostomy as an outcome. Having an ostomy adversely affects health-related quality of life (HRQOL) especially among the cancer survivor population. The thought of having an ostomy can be devastating to some and most people try to avoid that option at all cost. Having an ostomy requires the individual to learn a variety of new skills, which includes managing the external pouch, adapting to a variety of social situations, and developing new coping mechanisms. The purpose of this multi-site study is to test a telehealth-based educational/ support group intervention to promote positive self efficacy, adjustment to a new life style, and strengthen coping skills.

Method: The study is a three year, multi-site, randomized control trial of 200 cancer survivor ostomates and family caregivers. Subjects, who are required to fill out three surveys over seven months, were randomized into either the usual care control group or the four telehealth online educational/support group interventions. The sessions, are facilitated by trained certified wound, ostomy, continence (WOC) nurses, in collaboration with peer ostomates, integrate goal setting initiatives, problem solving techniques in order to enhance the overall HRQOL, and promote survivorship. Videoconferencing was utilized to connect the participants across from all over the country.

Conclusion: The Ostomy Self-Management Training (OSMT) has great potential to demonstrate positive impact on a cancer survivor ostomate’s self-efficacy, ostomy related knowledge, depression, burden of ostomy care, and HRQOL. The contents of the study will be presented.

Key words: cancer, ostomy, quality of life, telehealth, self-efficacy