The effects of a patient education course on persons with a chronic illness

This study gives experimental evidence concerning the use of a structured educational program, as part of the rehabilitation program, for persons who must adapt to living with cancer. The 52 subjects were randomly selected from a group of persons, ages 18 and older, who have been diagnosed or rediagnosed within the year as having cancer. Each participant was measured on three dependent variables: anxiety, mean-ingfulness in life, and knowledge about cancer. Pairing of participants was done by means of cluster analysis using pretest scores. Assignment of each pair was made randomly to either the treatment or control group. The treatment group attended eight educational sessions over a 4-week period. Topics covered were 1) learning about the disease, 2) coping with daily health problems, 3) communicating with others 4) liking yourself, 5) living with limits, and 6) helpful resources. Each session had goals, learning objectives, and study assignments. A learning resource center containing books, tapes, games, etc. was available to aid participants with assignments. The same objective test measures were administered to both groups post-course. The groups were then compared with respect to their prepost change scores on the three dependent variables. Every measure of prepost differences favored the treatment group. Significance of these results have been used to aid in the development of an ongoing cancer patient program.