Evaluation of Bibliotherapy by Students and Patients With Cancer

Summary

Research has demonstrated the positive effects of bibliotherapy (the use of reading in the treatment of patients), such as increased self-awareness, increased empathy, hope and decreased negativity. At Ghent University Hospital, 20 students from the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences were selected to be trained as readers by 'The Readers Collective', a Flemish Organization inspired by The Reader. Those students will read to patients with acute leukemia or to patients with a solid tumors in an advanced stage, using the "read aloud" method. Eight to ten reading sessions of approximately half an hour will be organized in a 1: 1 relationship between student and patient during a period of six months. The primary aim of study is to determine the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention by the patients as well as the students. Secondary aims are exploring the impact of the reading sessions on the professional development of the students and on the emotional well-being and quality of life of cancer patients. Assessment will be based upon questionnaires (as a basis for the in-depth interviews), diary notes, and in-depth interviews.

Conditions

• Acute Leukemia
• Advanced Solid Tumor

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Bibliotherapy

Students will read to patients during 30 minutes. They will read aloud and pause regularly to encourage patients to reflect on what is being read, on the thoughts the poem or book has stirred or on how the reading matter relates to their own lives.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Ghent

  collaborator OTHER

• Het Lezerscollectief

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• University Hospital, Ghent

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tessa Kerre, PhD · Department of Hematology, Ghent University Hospital

• Vibbeke Kruse, PhD · Department of Medical Oncology/ Cancer Center, Ghent University Hospital

• Peter Pype, PhD · Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University

• Fleur Helewaut · Clinical Skills Training Centre, Ghent University

• Jan Raes · Founder, Het Lezerscollectief

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-03-09

Primary Completion

2024-03-01

Completion

2024-03-01

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations