Enhancing Cancer Patient Mental Health: A Total Quality Management Approach
Introduction
Cancer is a devastating disease that not only affects the physical health of patients but also takes a significant toll on their mental well-being. Undoubtedly, the psychological and sociological dilemmas concerning cancer patients and their caregivers increase to substantial levels and are often ignored (Schuit et al., 2021). This paper proposes a comprehensive plan for implementing a Total Quality Management (TQM) approach to address this critical aspect of cancer care.
Premise and Goals
The program’s premise lies in recognizing the multifaceted challenges cancer patients and their caregivers face, extending beyond the physical realm to encompass psychological and sociological aspects. As an answer to this, the long-term plan is a put-in place of the comprehensive support mechanism that considers all dimensions as its powers. More specifically, it focuses on lowering stress levels during the treatment, on families’ and caregivers’ mental health, and teaching patients about coping mechanisms post-treatment (Schuit et al., 2021). The goal of a program rooted in a Total Quality Management approach is to give the patients and their families not only a chosen route of personalized support to address unique needs but also a preservation of their integrity and complete restoration of quality life on and off the path of cancer (Schuit et al., 2021).
Outcomes
The outcomes sought through this program are twofold: firstly, to reduce the mental pressure experienced by both patients and their families during treatment, and secondly, to provide practical assistance to survivors in navigating life post-treatment. This program proposes that by offering different supportive services and measures, the distress abuse survivors may face psychologically once the treatment is complete can be overcome (Schuit et al., 2021). The program intends to bring the desired outcomes to achieve this goal and enhance the general well-being and resilience of cancer patients and their family members, thereby promoting a more positive and flexible response to the diversity of the fight against cancer.
Specific Activities and SWOT Analysis
We wish to include particular activities for individuals with cancer and their caregivers, such as psychoeducational workshops, art therapy sessions and mobile counselling units. Each program’s activity undergoes a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis to determine if it is recovering from both positive and negative aspects. Psychoeducational training workshops became a means to learn ways to deal with the problem and be further supported by peers (Schuit et al., 2021). However, they have notoriously faced several challenges, including patients’ reluctance to attend and competition from the rest of those with great reputations. During joint sessions, the patient will create the work and simultaneously have a means of emotional expression. However, at the same time, the possibility of increased operational costs and confidentiality risk should be considered. Mobile counselling units improve reach, but delicate staffing planning and standardisation issues are needed (Ruano et al., 2022).
Psychoeducational Workshops | Art Therapy Sessions | Mobile Counseling Units | |
Strengths | Expert facilitators with specialized training in psycho-oncology.
Opportunity for shared experiences and peer support. |
Offers a creative outlet for expression and emotional processing.
Personalized experience tailored to individual preferences. |
Provides access to patients who are unable to travel to hospitals.
Reduces logistical expenses and improves accessibility for underserved populations. |
Weaknesses | Resistance from patients and families due to stigma or reluctance to engage.
There is a potential imbalance in the ratio of patients to facilitators, impacting the support quality. |
Increased operational costs associated with art supplies and specialized facilitators.
Challenges in managing complex patients or caregivers during sessions. |
Requires adequate staffing for rotation and home visits, posing logistical challenges.
Lack of standardization in healthcare delivery due to variations in home environments. |
Opportunities | Expansion to family and couple therapy sessions.
Utilization of teletherapy to enhance accessibility. |
Integration of AI technology to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Collaboration with local governments to secure funding. |
Collaboration with local organizations and governments for financial support.
Deployment of fully equipped mobile clinics for enhanced accessibility. |
Threats | Competition from established practices offering similar services. | Risks of breach in patient-doctor confidentiality through cyber-attacks. | Potential compromise on ethical standards and legal implications, leading to lawsuits. |
Best Option: Art Therapy Sessions
It turns out that art therapy sessions represent the most promising among a list of options for providing patients and caregivers with a chance to deal with the psycho-social difficulties of cancer. Art therapy allows for a novel path to processing one’s emotional impediments by creating a space where emotions can be freely expressed, and one can artistically develop oneself (Ruano et al., 2022). This can help everybody develop more robust resistance to stress and situation appraisal skills. Moreover, young people experience a sense of empowerment and self-discovery through these actions. Although the therapy sessions may run the cost of operations up and confidentiality risks might be a threat, the benefits of art therapy for the patients and the caregivers’ mental health exceed the cost side (Ruano et al., 2022).
Japanese Total Quality Approach Strategy
Incorporating the Japanese Total Quality Approach strategy involves implementing control charts to monitor key performance indicators such as patient satisfaction, attendance, and therapeutic outcomes (Yu et al., 2020). By utilizing this data-driven approach, the program can continuously assess its effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. Control charts enable real-time monitoring of process variation, allowing for timely adjustments and interventions to enhance the quality of care provided. This proactive approach to quality management aligns with the program’s commitment to delivering high-quality support services to cancer patients and their caregivers.
Conclusion
Overall, thoroughly implementing the system of Total Quality Management is aimed at filling the gap of deficiency in mental health support for individuals who have cancer, as well as for their caregivers. We will achieve this by offering a variety of approaches, such as workshops dedicated to psychoeducation, art therapy classes, and mobile counselling services. We intend to relieve the psychological pressure off survivors and to provide them with the means to have a meaningful life after getting the treatment.
References
Ruano, A., García-Torres, F., Gálvez-Lara, M., & Moriana, J. A. (2022). Psychological and non-pharmacologic treatments for pain in cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 63(5), e505-e520.
Schuit, A. S., Holtmaat, K., van Zwieten, V., Aukema, E. J., Gransier, L., Cuijpers, P., & Verdonck-de Leeuw, I. M. (2021). Organizing psycho-oncological care for cancer patients: the patient’s perspective. Frontiers in psychology, 12, 625117.
Yu, G. J., Park, M., & Hong, K. H. (2020). A strategy perspective on total quality management. Total Quality Management & Business Excellence, 31(1-2), 68-81.