Distance art groups for women with breast cancer: guidelines and recommendations

Support Care Cancer. 2006 Aug;14(8):849-58. doi: 10.1007/s00520-005-0012-7. Epub 2006 Feb 23.

Abstract

To overcome barriers that prevent women with breast cancer from attending support groups, innovative formats and modes of delivery both need to be considered. The present study was part of an interdisciplinary program of research in which researchers from counseling psychology, psycho-oncology, nursing, computer science, and fine arts have explored art making as an innovative format and telehealth as a mode of delivery. For this study, we conducted focus groups and interviews with 25 people with expertise about breast cancer, art, art therapy, and distance delivery of mental health services to generate guidelines for distance art-based psychosocial support services to women with breast cancer. A qualitative analysis of the focus group and interview data yielded guidelines for developers and facilitators of distance art groups for women with breast cancer pertaining to (a) emotional expression, (b) emotional support, (c) emotional safety, and (d) accommodating individual differences, plus special considerations for art therapy groups. Further research is needed pertaining to the use of computers, involvement of art therapists, and screening out vulnerable clients.

Publication types

  • Guideline
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Art Therapy / methods*
  • Art Therapy / organization & administration
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Canada
  • Education, Distance / methods
  • Education, Distance / organization & administration*
  • Emotions
  • Female
  • Focus Groups / methods*
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Humans
  • Informed Consent
  • Self-Help Groups / organization & administration*