Building the capacity for psycho-Oncology research: a survey of the research barriers and training needs within the International Psycho-Oncology Society

Abstract

Background: The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) is a multidisciplinary professional network that aims to improve psychosocial care for individuals impacted by cancer. IPOS encourages research activity, recognizing that a high-quality evidence base is essential to provide best-practice, data-driven clinical care. This study aimed to determine the barriers to research involvement and the training needs and priorities of IPOS members, with the goal of facilitating the development of training resources tailored to the needs of IPOS members. Methods: A link to an online, cross-sectional survey was disseminated to all registered members of IPOS via email. The online survey platform SimpleSurvey was used, and questions included demographic characteristics and items related to research interests, involvement, and training needs. High priority research training needs were identified as research tasks respondents rated as highly important, yet possessed a low perceived skill level in. Results: Thirty-two percent of IPOS members (n = 142) completed the survey. Participants represented 49 countries and were at a variety of career stages. Overall, participants reported spending an average of 17.3 hours per week on research (range 0-80 hours per week), with 69% of respondents wanting to increase their research involvement. The main barriers to research participation included lack of research funding (80%) and lack of protected time (63%). IPOS members identified 5 high-priority training needs: preparing successful grant applications; preparing research budgets; community-based participatory research; working with decision makers; and finding collaborators or expert consultants. Participants suggested funding access, statistical advisors, and networking and mentorship opportunities as ways to enhance research involvement. Members preferred online training modules (39%) and mentorship programs (19%) as methods by which IPOS could provide research support. IPOS was viewed as being able to contribute to many aspects of research capacity building such as networking, training, and dissemination of research findings. Conclusions: IPOS has an important role in encouraging research capacity building among members. This survey provides an agenda for workshops and training opportunities. Mainly, for respondents it was less about training in research methods and more about training in how to prepare successful grant applications, including budgets, and receiving mentorship on this as well as having opportunities to collaborate with other researchers.

Understanding barriers and facilitators to palliative and end-of-life care research: a mixed method study of generalist and specialist health, social care, and research professionals

“…The survey identified current and desired levels of palliative care research involvement, current research barriers, suggestions for sustainable solutions and research training needs. The survey was developed from the IPOS survey (a survey of the research barriers and training needs within the International Psycho-Oncology Society) [ 34 ] and literature on barriers and facilitators to palliative care research [ 3 ]. Survey development followed an iterative approach, with members and colleagues of the project steering committee reviewing survey questions to ensure the survey was appropriate.…”

The unmet need of psycho-oncology services for integrated cancer care in India: a review

“…21 Since 1970s, multiple national societies have come into existence in USA and these together have culminated into the formation of International psycho-oncology society (IPOS) in 1984. 22 Guidelines have also been developed in this field and National comprehensive cancer network (NCCN) also provides a framework for assessing and managing psychological distress in cancer patients. It also provides a patient guidance on managing mental health with the help of psycho-oncology integrated cancer care.…”

Survivorship representation at IPOS World Congress: abstract review and analysis

“…[16] The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) was founded in 1984 with intention to promote international multidisciplinary communication and collaboration regarding the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of cancer. [17,18] One way that IPOS works to deliver its mandate through special interest groups comprised members who share common interests or expertise in a specific area of psycho-oncology. Through these groups, members collaborate and exchange knowledge and resources, organize events and conferences, and develop guidelines and standards of care for their respective areas of expertise.…”