Assessing the utility of an alternative therapeutic wellness center offering psychosocial services for cancer in the greater New Haven Connecticut region

Abstract: The NIH recognizes that cancer care often fails to meet individuals' psychosocial health needs. The Wellness Community is a non-profit organization providing no cost mind-body therapeutic support and education to those affected by cancer nationally and abroad. This project aims to assess current therapeutic services and their utilization as well as establish a Wellness Center within the greater New Haven area. Connecticut has the 12th highest overall cancer incidence in the country yet the closest Wellness Center is three hours from this region's primary treatment center. A site that promotes holistic support for those dealing with cancer is needed closer to this medical facility. Hypothesis: The services available in this region provide optimal medical treatment and brief consultation for psychosocial support, without addressing the psychosocial needs of patients or offering free and accessible long-term psychological and physical health therapies. Methods: A three-phase methodology is being implemented to investigate community needs. The completed first phase consisted of a mixed model (quantitative-qualitative) feasibility analysis of community demographics, incidence and common cancers, as well as current available resources. The second and third phases are underway and consist of conducting key-informant interviews with CT-based cancer organizations and stakeholders, and focus groups with cancer survivors to assess the community's current supports, needs, and service utilization. Preliminary data analysis has shown that existing services providing therapeutic support are limited to specific cancer types and therapies. This project will provide a summary report of the feasibility and needs assessment, which will facilitate the development of a Wellness Center in this community.