Skip to main content
. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2017 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Psychooncology. 2016 Jan 25;25(5):574–581. doi: 10.1002/pon.4078

Table 1.

Training Session Description

Session Content
1 Self-management and immediate ostomy concerns – Teaching methods are interactive with hands on practice with equipment, pouches, and belts. Issues discussed included:

  • Disease states

  • Daily care

  • Nutritional needs

  • Skin care

  • Clothing changes
2 Social well-being and body image – Deals with the problems of:

  • Social/interpersonal relationships

  • Public appearances

  • Being prepared for emergencies

  • Intimacy and sexuality

  • Communication skills
3 Spouse/Significant Other/Designee Session – Cover same topics as Ostomate sessions that are specifically tailored to support and adjustment of caregiver to achieve a comfort level with ostomies. Not all participants had a designee.
4 Healthy lifestyle – Discussion includes:

  • Nutritional management

  • Physical activity recommendation and overcoming barriers

  • Psychological health

  • Improving attitudes

  • Travel
5 Booster Session (Ostomate and Session 3 participant) – Review of daily care, psychological impact, and nutrition/exercise problems. The group demands and needs drive the content for this session.