Macmillan Specialist Psychology Survivorship Project

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Background

Between June 2018 and June 2019, the Cancer and Palliative Care Psychology (C&PCPsyc) service, aided by Macmillan project funding, has developed and delivered a specialist psychology cancer survivorship group intervention to respond to the needs of the increasing number of cancer survivors referred to the service.

The intervention draws on an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) model.

Method

During the year-long project to develop and evaluate the impact of this intervention, the group intervention was delivered twice to patient groups with cancer survivorship concerns.

Results

For those attending the group intervention, improvements occurred in mood, wellbeing, functioning, acceptance, confidence, understanding and level of distress.

Conclusion

Evaluation feedback confirmed the value of group interventions, and demonstrated ACT-consistent outcomes. Waiting times for all patients referred to the service were lower during the six month group screening period, compared to the previous six months, despite referral numbers being higher in this latter period. This may be due to the additional resource of the group and the group assessment clinic, which temporarily increased capacity within the usual service resource.

Materials now exist to support delivery of future groups, including protocols, handouts, slides and evaluation packs. These can be adapted for pathways other than survivorship.

Implications

Limited staffing within the overall Cancer and Palliative Care psychology service will be a major constraining factor in the sustainability of the group intervention, and therefore in the service’s intended aims to reduce waiting times and increase intervention options for the growing number of cancer patients requiring psychological intervention.

A recent increase in the number of palliative care referrals requiring a more urgent response also now presents new challenges for the service.