Empowering of Oncology Patients and Informal Caregivers: Analysis of an Interdisciplinary Seminar Model for Breast Cancer and Gyneco-Oncological Patients.

Introduction: The interdisciplinary empowerment seminar aims to familiarize patients and informal caregivers (ICs) with supportive measures, focusing on understanding disease, therapy, and side effect management.

Methods: The seminar, conducted in two courses over 1-month intervals prior to chemotherapy, included lectures, supportive materials, Q and A sessions, and individual discussions with experts in nutrition, exercise, psycho-oncology, and complementary medicine. Evaluation is based on a self-developed questionnaire and questionnaires on QoL (EORTC-QLQ-C30, BR23, CX24, OV28), anxiety and depression (HADS-D) at week 0, 5, 9, and 12.

App-based support for breast cancer patients to reduce psychological distress during therapy and survivorship - a multicentric randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: The negative impact of unmanaged psychological distress on quality of life and outcome in breast cancer survivors has been demonstrated. Fortunately, studies indicate that distress can effectively be addressed and even prevented using evidence-based interventions. In Germany prescription-based mobile health apps, known as DiGAs (digital health applications), that are fully reimbursed by health insurances, were introduced in 2020.