Enhancing adaptation to breast cancer: the addition of coaching to support groups.

This article describes a framework for research involving a modification of traditional cancer support groups (CSGs) that includes the presence of a caring partner who acts as a coach to facilitate the woman's adaptation to the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The modified CSG and relevant response variables were derived from the Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing. Using the successful models of childbirth and diabetes education, the concept of coaching was introduced to breast CSGs. A review of the literature provides support for reduced symptom distress, reduced emotional distress, greater functional status, and higher quality of interpersonal relations as appropriate outcomes of participation in CSGs with coaching. The results of a pilot study of support groups with coaching are reported, and the goals of a currently ongoing experimental study testing the intervention have been identified.