Publications by authors named "Jennifer B Reese"
Article Synopsis
- Sexual concerns are prevalent among breast cancer survivors, impacting their sexual adjustment significantly, which suggests that involving partners in the therapeutic process could be beneficial.
- The study tested the Intimacy Enhancement (IE) intervention, a telephone-based program for couples, to tackle these sexual issues, comparing its effectiveness to a control group intervention.
- Results indicated that the IE intervention led to notable short-term improvements in the sexual function and satisfaction of survivors, although sustaining these benefits over time may require additional strategies.
Article Synopsis
- The study explores how body compassion—viewing one's body with kindness and mindfulness—may help colorectal cancer (CRC) patients adjust psychosocially to their condition and improve their quality of life (QOL).
- Fifty-four CRC patients completed surveys measuring body compassion, distress, loneliness, resilience, and QOL, validating a new measure called the Body Compassion Scale (BCS) with strong reliability (α = 0.94).
- Results indicated that patients with metastatic cancer and those currently in treatment reported lower body compassion, while higher body compassion correlated with reduced distress and loneliness, and increased resilience and QOL, especially linked to specific BCS subscales like defusion.
Article Synopsis
- A study was conducted to create the Partner Version of the Self-Efficacy to Communicate about Sex and Intimacy (SECSI-PV) scale, focusing on improving communication about sexual health among partners of female cancer survivors.
- Experts in sexual health and oncology helped refine the survey items, while cognitive interviews with partners evaluated the clarity and relevance of the scale's content.
- Findings confirm that the SECSI-PV is relevant and supports the need for psychosocial interventions that boost partners' confidence in discussing sexuality; further validation in diverse cancer populations is encouraged.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors frequently experience persistent sexual dysfunction, which is associated with impaired quality of life and increased psychological distress. The lack of availability of clinicians with expertise in sexual health limits the capacity to address sexual health concerns in HSCT survivors. Digital health applications may offer a patient-centered and scalable solution to address sexual health concerns in cancer survivors.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Many breast cancer survivors face significant sexual health concerns after treatment but often lack support for these issues; online interventions may help address these barriers, especially time constraints.
- This study aims to develop an effective online sexual health intervention for breast cancer survivors by optimizing various components to maximize benefits with minimal effort.
- It will involve 320 female participants with specific sexual symptoms, who will be randomly assigned to different combinations of intervention strategies focusing on education, communication, and intimacy skills.
Background: Loneliness, a subjective feeling of being isolated, is a prevalent concern for elderly people and more so among cancer survivors because a cancer diagnosis and its subsequent treatment may result in long-term adverse health effects. This study aimed to examine the association of loneliness and mortality risk among cancer survivors in the United States.
Methods: We identified a longitudinal cohort of cancer survivors aged ≥50 years from the nationally representative panel surveys of the 2008-2018 Health and Retirement Study.
Purpose: Clinical oncology guidelines recommend addressing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns in routine cancer care. However, limited training often hinders clinicians' ability to do so effectively. The objective of this study was to understand the state of current fellowship education on SRH (ie, sexual health, safe sex practices, and fertility) through conducting a national survey of US hematology/oncology fellowship program directors (PDs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTelebehavioral Health: Workforce, Access, and Future Implications.
Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am
January 2024
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, telebehavioral health (TBH) was proving itself to be a valuable, effective tool for service delivery. The widespread adoption of its use over the past 2 years for continuity of care should be considered one of the silver linings of the pandemic. It has the potential to be a particularly powerful tool for providing more equitable access to care for those in rural communities if barriers to broadband access can be addressed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: The objectives of this narrative review are to describe (1) the evidence for interventions addressing four key issues affecting female sexual health in cancer populations (ie, low sexual desire, vulvovaginal symptoms, negative body image, and sexual partner relationships) that are ready or nearly ready for integration into practice and (2) the current state of patient-provider sexual health communication related to female sexual health as these findings could have implications for integrating sexual health into practice.
Methods: A narrative review of recent intervention evidence for female cancer survivors' sexual health was conducted.
Results: Strong evidence was found for behavioral interventions, such as psychosexual counseling and psychoeducation to treat concerns related to sexual health, including desire, body image, and sexual partner relationships.
Article Synopsis
- The "Starting the Conversation" (STC) intervention aims to help gynecologic cancer survivors improve their communication with clinicians regarding sexual health concerns through a video and workbook resource.
- In a study with 32 survivors, STC showed promising feasibility and acceptability, with high enrollment and retention rates, and positive participant feedback, surpassing all benchmarks.
- Results indicated that STC participants were significantly more likely to discuss sexual health issues during clinic visits compared to the control group, along with improvements in self-efficacy for communication.
Background: Sexual wellbeing is a critical yet often overlooked aspect of overall wellbeing for women across cancer diagnoses.
Objective: We identified profiles of women cancer survivors by sexual and psychosocial outcomes and compared groups for differences in relevant outcomes and individual characteristics.
Methods: Partnered women treated for cancer (n = 226; M age = 51.
Article Synopsis
- This study evaluates the effectiveness of a virtual intervention called Opening the Conversation (OC) aimed at helping young adult cancer survivors and their partners manage reproductive and sexual health (RSH) concerns.
- The trial involves 100 couples diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancer within the last 6 months to 5 years, randomly assigned to either OC or an active control intervention.
- The primary focus is on reducing reproductive and sexual distress, with additional outcomes including communication, relationship quality, and overall quality of life.
Telebehavioral Health: Workforce, Access, and Future Implications.
Psychiatr Clin North Am
June 2022
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, telebehavioral health (TBH) was proving itself to be a valuable, effective tool for service delivery. The widespread adoption of its use over the past 2 years for continuity of care should be considered one of the silver linings of the pandemic. It has the potential to be a particularly powerful tool for providing more equitable access to care for those in rural communities if barriers to broadband access can be addressed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A qualitative study investigated the sexual and intimacy-related concerns of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients and their partners, revealing limited prior research in this area.
- The study involved focus groups and interviews, highlighting how the disease impacts sexual experiences, including emotional distress and altered relationship dynamics.
- Key findings included long-term sexual issues exacerbated by treatment, perceptions of the relationship's time limit due to MBC, and a need for information that encompasses both physical and emotional aspects of intimacy.
Purpose: We assessed breast cancer clinicians' perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic and increased use of telehealth affected their clinical communication about sexual heath.
Methods: Breast cancer clinicians participating in a sexual health communication intervention study (N = 29; 76% female; 66% oncologists; 34% advanced practice clinicians) completed an online survey. Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Objective: Most young adults diagnosed with breast or gynecologic cancers experience adverse reproductive or sexual health (RSH) outcomes due to cancer and its treatment. However, evidence-based interventions that specifically address the RSH concerns of young adult and/or LGBTQ+ survivor couples are lacking. Our goal is to develop a feasible and acceptable couple-based intervention to reduce reproductive and sexual distress experience by young adult breast and gynecologic cancer survivor couples with diverse backgrounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: We aimed to characterize the relationships between breast cancer patient mood symptom severity and demographic/medical factors with clinical communication about mood, and to explore mood discussion content.
Methods: 134 breast cancer patients (mean age=58.3; 14% minority; 13% metastatic) had oncology clinic visits audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded for mood communication.
Purpose: Ensuring there are clear standards for addressing cancer-related sexual side effects is important. Currently, there are differences in two leading sets of clinical guidelines regarding the inclusion of survivors' romantic partners into clinical discussions between survivors and their providers about this issue. To help refine guidelines, we examine breast cancer survivor, partner, and oncology provider perspectives about including partners in discussions about cancer-related sexual side effects in a secondary analysis of a broader qualitative study.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Rectal cancer (RC) patients experience unique sources of distress, including sexual dysfunction and body image concerns, which can also cause distress among partners. This preliminary study investigated patterns of psychological distress, sexual functioning, sexual distress, and relationship satisfaction among RC patient-partner couples at pivotal points during cancer treatment.
Methods: Twenty couples participated (N = 40).
Healthcare employees often experience high stress and may benefit from accessible psychosocial interventions. In this pilot study, we explored preliminary feasibility, acceptability, and psychological effects of a telephone-based adaption of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for healthcare employees. Eleven participants (M age = 49.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Most breast cancer clinicians lack training to counsel patients about sexual concerns. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a mobile learning (mLearning) intervention (improving Sexual Health and Augmenting Relationships through Education [iSHARE]) aimed at enhancing breast cancer clinicians' knowledge of, beliefs about, and comfort with discussing patients' sexual health concerns.
Methods: Clinicians listened to a 2-part educational podcast series offering information on breast cancer-related sexual health concerns and effective communication on the topic, which consisted of interviews with expert guests.
Objective: Many women with breast cancer (BC) hesitate to raise sexual concerns clinically. We evaluated a multimedia intervention to facilitate BC patients' communication about sexual/menopausal health, called Starting the Conversation (STC).
Methods: Female BC patients (N = 144) were randomly assigned to either STC (20-min video, workbook, and resource guide) or control (resource guide only).
Purpose: Perceiving positive life changes ("benefit finding") is thought to promote better adjustment after cancer, yet is poorly understood among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We characterized benefit finding and examined its relationship to demographic/medical factors, change over time, and association with distress.
Methods: CRC outpatients (N = 133, 50% metastatic) completed self-report measures (demographic/medical factors, benefit finding, distress) at baseline and 6 months later.
Background: Sexual problems are extremely common for women after breast cancer (BC).
Aim: To determine, in a sample of BC outpatients, how commonly women sought help for sexual concerns, from a health care provider (HCP), from other individuals, or from alternate sources; and to examine whether help-seeking was associated with women's sexual function/activity, self-efficacy for clinical communication about sexual health, or sociodemographic/medical characteristics.
Methods: BC patients participating in a sexual/menopausal health communication intervention trial completed web-based baseline self-report surveys.