Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors and Patient Education

Developing and Implementing a Local Education and Support Program for Patients with Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GISTs)

This article talks about the importance of patient education among patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Education about the disease process, side effects, treatment options, etc. is vital to reducing patient anxiety and increasing their quality of life. This article further goes into the development and implementation of an educational program for those with gastrointestinal stromal tumors. This was initiated by a patient who brought up the idea with his oncologist. The program provides emotional support as well as current information to these patients who call themselves GISTERs. Patients as far as hundreds of miles away travel to attend these meetings which has purposed as a powerful psycho-educational tool among patients and caregivers (Kuhrik, 2010).

Kuhrik, M. , Kuhrik, N. , Deshields, T. , O’Neill, J. , & Zubal, B. (2010). Developing and implementing a local education and support program for patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (gists). Journal of Cancer Education, 25(4), 543-547.