The Role of Helplines in Cancer Care: Intertwining Emotional Support with Information or Advice-Seeking Needs

Helplines are core feature of the contemporary U.K. health care system, however little is known about callers' experiences of seeking cancer-related telephone help. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 cancer helpline callers. The findings suggest cancer helplines offer callers (1) tim...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of psychosocial oncology 2014-05, Vol.32 (3), p.359-381
Main Authors: Ekberg, Katie, McDermott, Joanne, Moynihan, Clare, Brindle, Lucy, Little, Paul, Leydon, Geraldine M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anonymity
Attitude to Health
callers' perceptions
Cancer
cancer helpline
cancer information
Counseling
Delivery of Health Care - organization & administration
Emotional support
Families & family life
Female
Friendship
Health care
Health Care Services
Health Services Needs and Demand
Help Seeking Behavior
Helplines
Helpseeking
Hotlines
Humans
Information
Information Seeking Behavior
Information Services
Male
Neoplasms - psychology
Neoplasms - therapy
psychosocial support
Qualitative Research
Social Support
telemedicine
United Kingdom
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Summary:Helplines are core feature of the contemporary U.K. health care system, however little is known about callers' experiences of seeking cancer-related telephone help. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 32 cancer helpline callers. The findings suggest cancer helplines offer callers (1) time to discuss their issues, (2) anonymity, (3) convenience, and (4) an open outlet for anyone affected by cancer including family/friends. Further, the findings highlighted that callers' help-seeking behavior was multifaceted, with their psychosocial needs being intrinsically intertwined with their information or advice-seeking needs. The implications are discussed in relation to the role of cancer helplines in the healthcare system.
ISSN:0734-7332
1540-7586
DOI:10.1080/07347332.2014.897294