Promotion of self-management for post treatment cancer survivors: evaluation of a risk-adapted visit

The life cancer survivorship program at northshore university healthsystem provides risk-adapted visits (rav) facilitated by an oncology nurse during which a survivorship care plan (scp) is provided and discussed. in this report, we describe and evaluate rav in promoting individualized health care and self-management during survivorship transition. patients complete a post-rav questionnaire at their rav and another ≥1 year after their rav. one thousand seven hundred thirteen (1713) ravs, majority for breast cancer, occurred from 2007 to 2014. one thousand six hundred fifteen (1615) “day-of” post-rav questionnaires were completed. respondents scaled statements as strongly agree/agree/disagree/strongly disagree. combined strongly agree/agree ratings are 94 % felt more confident in communicating information about their treatments to other health care providers, 90 % felt more comfortable recognizing signs/symptoms to report to providers, and 98 % had a better appreciation for community programs/services. of 488 respondents (rav 2007 to 2012 n = 1366) to a questionnaire at least 1 year after the rav, nearly 100 % found scp useful to summarize medical information, 97 % to reinforce follow-up, 85 % to recognize symptoms of recurrence, 93 % to identify healthy lifestyle practices, 91 % to assist in identifying resources for support, 72 % discussed their scp with their healthcare provider, and 97 % made at least one positive lifestyle change. participation in life rav following treatment helps survivors to guide future self-care behavior. data suggest that benefits persist 1 year after the visit and support the feasibility of a nurse-led rav to establish a scp in cancer survivors. combined provision and discussion of scps help survivors construct a useful understanding of their cancer experience and promote long-term self-management.