Cancer Survivors' Experiences With Six Months of Community Health Worker Health‐Related Social Needs Support: A Qualitative Analysis of Perceived Impact
4 affiliations
- 1Implementation Science MedStar Health Research Institute Columbia Maryland USA
- 2MedStar Health National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare MedStar Health Research Institute Washington Columbia USA
- 3Department of Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine Washington Columbia USA
- 4Department of Oncology Georgetown University Washington Columbia USA
Abstract
Background: Cancer survivors face persistent social, emotional, and practical challenges that can worsen health and quality of life. These unmet needs disproportionately affect Black cancer survivors and contribute to inequitable outcomes.
Aims: This qualitative study explores the experiences and preferences of Black cancer survivors participating in a community health worker (CHW) supported intervention to assess and address health‐related social needs (HRSNs).
Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants enrolled in a 6‐month CHW intervention in the United States to assess and address social needs. A mix of inductive and deductive coding was used within a constructivist framework to identify themes aligning with Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) social support and quality of life (QOL) domains.
Results: Thirty interviews were conducted. Most participants were female (n = 22), had breast cancer (n = 14), and experienced social needs (n = 22). Participants described significant emotional, practical, and financial challenges during survivorship. Participants commonly cited that CHWs provided significant emotional support, as well as food and transportation referrals. Over half of participants reported increased awareness and self‐efficacy in navigating community resources. Most participants reported improvements in quality of life, particularly with enhanced emotional well‐being and instrumental support, that were vital to their daily functioning.
Conclusion: Consistent, monthly phone‐based CHW support improved emotional well‐being, self‐efficacy, and overall quality of life. Future research should explore the impact of interventions on psychometrically validated quality of life measures and receipt of appropriate survivorship care.
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BibTeX
@article{milicia2026cancer,
title = {{Cancer Survivors' Experiences With Six Months of Community Health Worker Health‐Related Social Needs Support: A Qualitative Analysis of Perceived Impact}},
author = {Arianna Milicia and Marjanna Smith and Jessica Rivera Rivera and Mandi L. Pratt‐Chapman and Kimberly Davis and Hannah Arem},
journal = {Psycho-Oncology},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1002/pon.70649},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70649},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cancer Survivors' Experiences With Six Months of Community Health Worker Health‐Related Social Needs Support: A Qualitative Analysis of Perceived Impact
AU - Arianna Milicia
AU - Marjanna Smith
AU - Jessica Rivera Rivera
AU - Mandi L. Pratt‐Chapman
AU - Kimberly Davis
AU - Hannah Arem
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/05
JO - Psycho-Oncology
DO - 10.1002/pon.70649
UR - https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70649
AB - Background: Cancer survivors face persistent social, emotional, and practical challenges that can worsen health and quality of life. These unmet needs disproportionately affect Black cancer survivors and contribute to inequitable outcomes. Aims: This qualitative study explores the experiences and preferences of Black cancer survivors participating in a community health worker (CHW) supported intervention to assess and address health‐related social needs (HRSNs). Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with participants enrolled in a 6‐month CHW intervention in the United States to assess and address social needs. A mix of inductive and deductive coding was used within a constructivist framework to identify themes aligning with Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) social support and quality of life (QOL) domains. Results: Thirty interviews were conducted. Most participants were female (n = 22), had breast cancer (n = 14), and experienced social needs (n = 22). Participants described significant emotional, practical, and financial challenges during survivorship. Participants commonly cited that CHWs provided significant emotional support, as well as food and transportation referrals. Over half of participants reported increased awareness and self‐efficacy in navigating community resources. Most participants reported improvements in quality of life, particularly with enhanced emotional well‐being and instrumental support, that were vital to their daily functioning. Conclusion: Consistent, monthly phone‐based CHW support improved emotional well‐being, self‐efficacy, and overall quality of life. Future research should explore the impact of interventions on psychometrically validated quality of life measures and receipt of appropriate survivorship care.
SN - 1057-9249
SN - 1099-1611
ER -