Decreasing Financial Toxicity for Breast Cancer Patients: A Program Evaluation of a Financial Assistance Program to Improve Access Mental Health Support
Elisabeth Counselman-Carpenter, Joyce Towner Williams, Eun Kyung Lee.
Objective: This study examined patient experiences with a financial assistance program for psychotherapy among individuals with breast cancer. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to gather feedback from the initial cohort of program participants in pilot financial assistance program in which breast cancer patients received five sessions of free, brief, solution-focused supportive psychotherapy from licensed psychotherapists, explored the intersection of coping skills profiles may impact program participation and gathered feedback from program participants in order to refine the referral process.
Methods: A mixed method research design with purposive sampling included quantitative methods including a demographics survey and the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale and a brief open-ended qualitative questionnaire.
Results: Participants universally believed that the financial assistance program made it easier for them to obtain mental health support and that psychotherapy provided needed emotional support reduced barriers to care, and all participants described psychotherapy as helpful for symptom management. Most participants advocated for automatic referral upon diagnosis, with some emphasizing extended counseling specifically for metastatic breast cancer patients. Distinct trends emerged between two program groups in terms of their emotional suppression type: the suppressor group reported greater prior psychotherapy experience, stronger preference for automatic referral, higher session completion, and greater intention to continue therapy compared to the expressor group.
Conclusions: Financial support programs and systematic referrals to psychotherapy upon receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can enhance access and improve psychosocial outcomes for breast cancer patients.
