a round table "Psychological assistance for the cancer patients; the possibilities of the web-platform for stress management"

On November 25, 2015 a round table "Psychological assistance for the cancer patients; the possibilities of the web-platform for stress management", which was sponsored by the Mental Health Institute of the Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU), was held in the framework of the World Bank's subproject "Preventive oncology and the implementation of effective anti-tumour technolgies in Lviv oblast" with the participation of the oncologists and Mrs. Alexandra Fesller, an oncology psychologist from the University of Basel (Basel, Switzerland), Master of Psychology.

 

 The successful experience in psychological assistance provision for cancer patients in Switzerland was presented by Mrs. Alexandra Fesller, an oncology psychologist from the University of Basel, Master of Psychology.

 

What is an innovation in the sphere of psycho-oncology in Switzerland is the finctioning of the online resource, the so-called Web Platform STREAM (Stress aktiv mindern), which is translated as "active stress mitigation."

 

Despite the physical impact on the human body, the cancer incidences have also an impact on her mental health. STREAM (Stress aktiv mindern) is a program developed by oncologists and oncology psychologists for people with cancer. The program is designed for eight weeks (eight modules) and envisages exercises and instruction in the field of clinical psychology, particularly those based on cognitive-behavioral therapy, which is founded on the knowledge that the psychological problems of reality distortion and inadequate actions taken in response to existing problems contribute to the development of problems and disorders. Each training module consists of three units.

 

The online platform functioning is relevant nowadays because the Internet is becoming a more accessible source of information.

 

Only one in 4 cancer persons refers to the medical facilities for psychological assistance, others do not recognize the need for psychological assistance and are ashamed to ask for it; besides there are not enough qualified oncology psychologists.

 

This technique has proved its effectivenenss, but remember that not all patients are willing to work hard on themselves not in all cases does it give the desired result.