Organizer: Voluntary Association of Curable Patients (Aves).
Collaborative institution: Ramon Molinas Foundation.
Implementation schedule: 05/07/2013 – 28/03/2014.
Virtual and personal assistance to support cancer patients, a program to improve the communication routes between Aves and its users
Through the program Virtual and personal assistance to support cancer patients, Aves Association and Ramon Molinas Foundation intend to exploit the advantages of the information and communication technologies in order to improve the communication routes between the entity and its users. In the first place, the collaboration agreement will enable the creation of a virtual tool that will break down the barriers of time and space of the relation between the association and its users, and will display a new alternative of assistance. The performance will include the creation of the necessary technology platform in order to operate this virtual instrument as well as the dissemination of the program to the beneficiaries of Aves.
The technology platform will be embodied through a forum. It will be a space for debate, where a treatment and a follow up of the emotional aspects generated by the participants can be carried out. Also, it will be useful as well to share impressions or knowledge about other aspects related with the resilience phase. Some of the main topics of discussion on this line will be nutritherapy, exercise-therapy, and cancer as an opportunity to improve personal knowledge. This will enable the users of the service to elaborate on how to face the disease. The aim of this tool is to facilitate the creation of a community where mutual support groups for the welfare and health of the people can be established, and to help those who have suffered the loss of a loved one.
Besides this vital instrument, the collaboration agreement between both institutions will enable to improve the phone care for those sick ones who due to various reasons cannot move to face meetings and on the other hand will guarantee the expansion of the face activities of the care network for cancer patients that the entity offers.
Aves, an entity serving people who suffer from severe illnesses and their families
Aves was founded in 1993. Its main goal is to support people who suffer from severe illnesses, like cancer, and their families. The work methodology of the entity is based on the legacy of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who was a psychiatrist and world expert in thanatology and palliative care.
Aves offers personalized and specialized aid through bereavement groups, mutual support groups for families, and groups of personal growth. Also, Aves offers home and hospital care, trains volunteers, and carries out conferences, lectures, and workshops related with its field of activity.
The results of the action
Virtual and personal assistance to support cancer patients has amply achieved the expected results. The agreement between both institutions has enabled to improve the care for cancer patients providing the institution with the necessary tools to improve its routes of communication.
The forum, the virtual tool to improve the communication between the entity and its users, has been created and is being implemented satisfactorily. Once finished the collaboration process between both entities, the dissemination of this tool is being carried out, and the users are being trained so that they can use it exploiting its full potential.
Regarding the second aim of the association, this is, to improve and expand the phone care for the sick ones that cannot move to face meetings, the calls for the individualized care and follow up of all the users have been guaranteed.
Finally, regarding the improvement of the face activities of the care network for cancer patients that Aves offers, the level rise of the psychological support has been achieved, as well as the increase of assiduity of the users in meeting requests.
Links of interest:
Aves website.