Table 4 Participants and compañeras acceptability of program timing, format, length, and program quality
Participant program evaluation survey results (N = 60) | Summary of semi-structured interviews with participants (N = 9) and compañeras (below dotted line) (N = 5) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Survey question | Response choices | N (%) | |
Program Format | |||
When would you have liked to have started the program. When… | • Diagnosed with cancer • Undergoing treatment • Treatment was done • Missing | 33 (55) 15 (25) 11 (18) 1 (2) | Participants preferred program be offered earlier in breast cancer (BC) journey (when diagnosed or undergoing treatment). |
Compañeras suggested program be delivered earlier in BC journey. | |||
The program consists of 10 sessions. Would you have preferred… | • Less sessions • The same sessions • More sessions | 0 (0) 43 (72) 17 (28) | Participants were satisfied with the number of sessions received. Suggested offering more or longer sessions, and having follow-up sessions after program ends. |
Compañeras suggested making program sessions longer. | |||
How would you have preferred to receive the program… (select all that apply) | • One-on-one meetings • On the telephone • Workbook only • Group meetings | 57 (95) 0 (0) 0 (0) 11 (18) | Most participants preferred receiving individualized sessions because it was convenient and private. Suggested making a combination program (individualized and group) to be able to speak to a compañera in private and also meet other women. |
Compañeras suggested participants would benefit from meeting other women in the program. | |||
Program Quality | |||
How would you rate the overall quality of the program | • Poor • Fair • Good • Very good • Excellent | 1 (2) 5 (8) 13 (22) 41 (68) | Overall participants liked everything about the program, especially that it was in Spanish. The program helped them feel less isolated, manage depression and stress, feel more positive, enjoy life, and express their emotions. |
Compañeras liked the program since it was designed in Spanish for Latinas with BC. | |||
How would you rate the overall quality of the DVD | • Poor • Fair • Good • Very good • Excellent • No DVD player | 1 (2) 1 (2) 8 (13) 19 (32) 27 (45) 4 (7) | Most participants liked the videos (saw videos on the compañera’s tablet); some said that they did not own a DVD player. |
Compañeras commented that many participants did not have a DVD player. | |||
How would you rate the skills of your compañera | • Poor/Fair • Good • Very good • Excellent | 2 (3) 16 (27) 42 (70) | Participants spoke highly of compañeras’ ability to listen, provide clear explanations, establish rapport (e.g., patient, trustworthy, supportive); personal contact with a BC survivor helped them feel understood, normalized their BC, and gave them hope. Suggested they be allowed to remain in contact with compañera after the program ends (many missed their contact with the compañera). |
Not applicable for compañeras | |||
Program Usefulness | |||
How much did the program help you cope with your BC | • Not at all/A little bit • Somewhat • Quite a bit • Very much | 1 (2) 23 (38) 36 (60) | The program helped participants normalize their BC, how to manage side effects and stress, and understand what to expect in the future. It also helped them learn how to communicate with family about their BC, especially children. It was also helpful to have someone to talk to about their BC. |
Compañeras said they noticed positive changes in participants, as well as improved family relationships and being more relaxed. | |||
How useful was the section on BC information and BC videos | • Not at all useful • A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 2 (3) 3 (5) 12 (5) 43 (72) | The program helped participants better understand their BC, taught them about how to care for long-term/late effects of treatment, and taught them how to access more information. The BC videos usefulness was mixed. Some said they watched the BC videos with their family, while others said they would have preferred seeing the video when they were initially diagnosed. |
Compañeras talked about how participants liked learning about BC. The BC and treatment videos were useful for explaining it to participants. | |||
How useful was the survivorship care plan (SCP) | • Not at all useful • A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful • Missing | 1 (2) 5 (8) 11 (18) 23 (38) 19 (32) 1 (2) | Few participants discussed the usefulness of the SCP. Those that did, said it was useful to have information in one place. |
Compañeras suggested having participant’s SCP would be useful to tailor BC information to participant’s diagnosis. | |||
How useful was the section on communicating with doctors | • Not at all useful • A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 1 (2) 2 (3) 2 (3) 18 (30) 37 (62) | Participants liked how the program gave them skills to communicate with their doctors such as preparing questions in advance. |
No comments made by compañeras | |||
How useful was the section on communicating with family members | • Not at all useful • A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 1 (2) 3 (5) 22 (37) 34 (57) | Participants liked how the program taught them to improve communication with their family. Suggested including or offering the program to family and children. |
Compañeras suggested adding more information about intimacy and sexuality in the partner communication section; offering the program to family members. | |||
How useful were the sections on managing thoughts and mood | • Not at all/A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 3 (5) 21 (35) 36 (60) | Participants discussed how the program taught them to change negative thoughts to positive thoughts. They liked that they learned how to be more positive. A few women mentioned that their family or partner noticed a positive change in her. |
Compañeras said participants liked learning about how to cope with thoughts, but suggested adding more information as to why coping skills are important (some participants were reluctant to try). | |||
How useful were the sections on managing stress and skills videos | • Not at all/A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 2 (3) 22 (37) 36 (60) | Most participants discussed the usefulness of stress management tools and videos (watched on the compañera’s tablet). Skills helped them feel better, improved sleep, and reduced stress and depression. Many found deep breathing, and other skills such as visualization and progressive muscle relaxation useful. |
Compañeras discussed how participants liked the stress management skills. | |||
How useful was the section on healthy living | • Not at all/A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 1 (2) 18 (30) 41 (68) | Participants liked the section on self-care (e.g., live healthier, nutrition, diet), and learning that they need to continue self-care practices. Suggested expanding information on self-care after BC. |
Compañeras suggested expanding section by adding more information on nutrition and physical activity to manage stress. | |||
How useful was the section on setting goals | • Not at all useful • A little useful • Somewhat useful • Quite useful • Very useful | 1 (2) 3 (5) 21 (35) 35 (58) | Participants found setting weekly goals useful to achieve their own goals such as doing more joyful activities, asking for help, and returning to ‘normal’ after BC. |
No comments made by compañeras | |||
Program Ease of Use | |||
How easy was it to understand the manual | • Not at all easy • A little easy • Somewhat easy • Quite easy • Very easy • Missing | 3 (5) 3 (5) 27 (45) 26 (43) 1 (2) | Participants liked workbook’s large font, simplicity. Most did not have difficulty doing weekly activities. For those that did, they reported following workbook examples or compañera’s instructions. A few women said that the program content was repetitive. |
Compañeras said program content was repetitive in some places. | |||
How convenient was the program | • Not at all/Slightly convenient • Fairly convenient • Very convenient | 7 (12) 53 (88) | Participants thought program was convenient because compañera came to her home or they met at the community organization. |
Compañeras had challenges scheduling weekly visits, and dealing with last minute cancellations and long travel distances. | |||
How often are you practicing now the skills you learned in the program | • Never • Rarely • Sometimes • Often | 1 (1) 1 (1) 12 (20) 46 (77) | Participants reported still practicing deep breathing and cognitive reframing, especially during BC follow-up visits or when feeling stressed. Also discussed still using the workbook when they had a concern or question. |
Not applicable for compañeras | |||