Feasibility study of a telehealth delivered, psychoeducational support group for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients

Objective: This study investigates the feasibility and efficacy of a telehealth delivered psychoeducational support group for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) survivors. Methods: All AHSCT survivors 0–3 years post‐transplant from the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, Calgary, Alta., Canada were contacted over a 4‐year period and invited to participate. Groups were led by trained facilitators and the didactic content included many of the concerns commonly reported by AHSCT survivors. Participants met with facilitators and other group members via videoconferencing equipment located at various community health centres across Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. Results: Of the 19 AHSCT survivors who chose to participate, 74% attended five or more of the six sessions and 100% stated that they were satisfied with the program. The groups were found to be feasible and well liked by all participants. While participants appeared to have gained a greater appreciation of life, they did not demonstrate any significant improvements in quality of life, spirituality and meaning making, distress, or positive growth as measured by the questionnaires in the pre/post‐package. Conclusions: Attendance and satisfaction ratings suggest that participants gleaned some benefit from participation. Psychoeducational support groups via videoconferencing may provide a viable alternative for those with limited access to psychosocial support. Clearly, more rigorous research is required to determine the utility of these psychoeducational support groups. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.