Ideas For Teleconferences

[Joe]

Our organization will soon be soliciting grant money from various sources. We have decided to host a series of teleconferences and need ideas from our members.

We wish to focus on quality of life issues rather than strictly medical programs.

A few years ago we had two teleconferences featuring Johanna Morales of the Cancer Legal Resource Center and Matthew Loscalzo speaking on the psychosocial aspects of cancer. We wish to invite these 2 speakers to return as their teleconferences were extremely interesting and informative.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Regards
Joe

[Bill]

Possibly someone from a Hospice group, Joe. Maybe include a Hospice nurse and a chaplain. Just my two cents. Thanks again, Joe, for all that you and Christine do.

[Joe]

Any other suggestions?

Joe

[karen z]

Some initial thoughts:

(1) Physical and emotional health for both the newly diagnosed patient (e.g., nutrition, exercise, physical changes, anxiety, depression, support) as well as longer-term survivors. It seems that many of us who post on the board, and who have been out of treatment or major treatment for awhile, still struggle with several of the issues listed above (e.g., losing treatment/post-treatment weight, exercising as much as we should and making sure that we are taking care of ourselves physically and emotionally).
(2) Integrating our pre- and post-treatment "lives". Being diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatment are life-altering events. Some individuals may feel a bit lost and not sure how to integrate all of the experiences they have been through (see a related article called "Cases: Having Cancer and Finding a Personality" published in the NY Times on August 12th, 2008).
(3) Quality of life and its relationship to non-adherence in treatment. This topic involves both medical and non-medical issues but is one that may be important to discuss. The non-adherence rates for some medications are not only high but often related to quality of life concerns on the part of patients.
(4) Legal and financial advice for cancer patients.

[Bill]

Well, Joe, I was getting ready to add "Hey, let's get a nutritionist on that teleconference", but in light of Karen's post that now seems a little weak. You go, girl!

[Becky]

Another may be insurance issues - can we ever get life insurance again? What happens if you can't get medical coverage and aren't poor enough for medicaid?

How will the Health Reform Bill really affect people (those that have coverage, want it but can't afford it, aren't poor enough etc). It would be nice if the ins and outs of the bill could be easily explained.

[karen z]

Another thought:
(5) A teleconference for caregivers re physical and emotional health of patients.

[ElaineM]

I vote for nutrition and financial issues.

[karen z]

Another thought (but perhaps a subset of #1 above- see earlier post).

The cancer wellness program at my hospital does a very good job of helping patients with various needs (although I think a less good job of helping patients "further out" from treatment, who may need more support than those running our wellness program realize). The program here has a nutritionist on board, an exercise program one can join, and various support groups as well. In addition there seem to be several classes (and very popular ones I might add) on using a variety of behavioral approaches to reduce stress. For example, there are yoga classes, classes on meditation and mindfulness, classes on using art, writing and humor to work through issues, etc. So, it might be useful to have a teleconference (or a component of one) on using behavioral approaches to help current and former patients relax, reduce stress, work through issues in various ways and concentrate on what they now consider to be the most important things in life (and concentrate on being able to enjoy those things again). Behavioral approaches to insomnia could also be included, particularly as many behavioral approaches have been proven to be more effective than various meds for sleep problems.

[krisvell]

Joe,
1. Learning to live with Cancer. I guess it's a right of passage, process and time to accept what you've been dealt. I just read the "Crazy Sexy Cancer Book" and it really struck a postive note with me.
2. Nutrition.. I've bought onto the Plant based - vegan diet (The Anti-Cancer Diet & China Study). Any information would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Kris....

[Faith in Him]

How to get your affairs in order. If you do a will yourself, what should be included? Any special considerations if you have young children? How do you do a health care directive (I think that is what they are called)? etc.

[Soccermom]

How to talk with (and how much to say) to your children about your diagnosis and treatment`

I ditto the "Survivors Roadmap" type teleconference