How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives
Many prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) have formed in North America during the past decade, yet their operation or factors influencing sustainability are poorly understood. This article reports micro (intragroup), meso (intergroup), and macro (group/structure) analyses drawn from the fieldwork...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
SAGE Publishing
2008-06-01
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| Series: | American Journal of Men's Health |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988307304147 |
| _version_ | 1828888995195518976 |
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| author | John L. Oliffe PhD, MEd, RN Michael Halpin BA Joan L. Bottorff PhD, RN T. Gregory Hislop MSc, MDCM Michael McKenzie MD, FRCPC Lawrence Mroz MSC |
| author_facet | John L. Oliffe PhD, MEd, RN Michael Halpin BA Joan L. Bottorff PhD, RN T. Gregory Hislop MSc, MDCM Michael McKenzie MD, FRCPC Lawrence Mroz MSC |
| author_sort | John L. Oliffe PhD, MEd, RN |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Many prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) have formed in North America during the past decade, yet their operation or factors influencing sustainability are poorly understood. This article reports micro (intragroup), meso (intergroup), and macro (group/structure) analyses drawn from the fieldwork and participant observations conducted for an ethnographic study of PCSGs based in British Columbia, Canada. The findings indicate that effective group leadership is integral to group sustainability and the recruitment and retention of attendees. At the meso level, intergroup connections and communication were often informal; however, the primary purpose of all the PCSGs was to provide information and support to men and their families. Many PCSGs were uncertain how formal associations with cancer fund-raising societies would influence group effectiveness. Macro issues such as prostate cancer activism resided with individual group “champions” through activities coordinated by provincial and national PCSG organizations. However, activism did not guarantee group sustainability. The study findings reveal why some groups flourish while others appear untenable, and form the basis for discussion about how PCSG sustainability might be best achieved. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:32:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fe8631dea29f42f28a6bb44a43e99d28 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1557-9883 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-13T12:32:46Z |
| publishDate | 2008-06-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | American Journal of Men's Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-fe8631dea29f42f28a6bb44a43e99d282022-12-21T23:45:58ZengSAGE PublishingAmerican Journal of Men's Health1557-98832008-06-01210.1177/1557988307304147How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian PerspectivesJohn L. Oliffe PhD, MEd, RNMichael Halpin BAJoan L. Bottorff PhD, RNT. Gregory Hislop MSc, MDCMMichael McKenzie MD, FRCPCLawrence Mroz MSCMany prostate cancer support groups (PCSGs) have formed in North America during the past decade, yet their operation or factors influencing sustainability are poorly understood. This article reports micro (intragroup), meso (intergroup), and macro (group/structure) analyses drawn from the fieldwork and participant observations conducted for an ethnographic study of PCSGs based in British Columbia, Canada. The findings indicate that effective group leadership is integral to group sustainability and the recruitment and retention of attendees. At the meso level, intergroup connections and communication were often informal; however, the primary purpose of all the PCSGs was to provide information and support to men and their families. Many PCSGs were uncertain how formal associations with cancer fund-raising societies would influence group effectiveness. Macro issues such as prostate cancer activism resided with individual group “champions” through activities coordinated by provincial and national PCSG organizations. However, activism did not guarantee group sustainability. The study findings reveal why some groups flourish while others appear untenable, and form the basis for discussion about how PCSG sustainability might be best achieved.https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988307304147 |
| spellingShingle | John L. Oliffe PhD, MEd, RN Michael Halpin BA Joan L. Bottorff PhD, RN T. Gregory Hislop MSc, MDCM Michael McKenzie MD, FRCPC Lawrence Mroz MSC How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives American Journal of Men's Health |
| title | How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives |
| title_full | How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives |
| title_fullStr | How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives |
| title_short | How Prostate Cancer Support Groups Do and Do Not Survive: British Columbian Perspectives |
| title_sort | how prostate cancer support groups do and do not survive british columbian perspectives |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/1557988307304147 |
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