How Individual Counselling Impacts the Psychological Well-Being of Cancer Patients receiving Care at Oncology Clinics in Meru County, Kenya

Abstract

In spite of effort by the Ministry of Health to support cancer patients by allocating resources and employing qualified personnel, cancer patients still undergo immense physical, emotional, and psychological distress that impacts on their overall well-being. Consequently, their mental health continue to deteriorate, thereby complicating treatment, coping mechanisms, recovery, and healing. This study investigated how individual counselling impacts the psychological well-being

of cancer patients at oncology clinics in Meru County, Kenya. The study was guided by person- centered theory. It utilized a convergent survey research design and adopted systematic random

sampling and purposive sampling techniques to select participants from a target population of 2580 cancer patients, 2580 caregivers, and 53 clinicians. Out of these, the study sampled 335 cancer patients, 40 caregivers, and six clinicians. Questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The validity and reliability of research instruments were ascertained accordingly. Percentages, mean, and standard deviation were computed for quantitative data, while thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings of the study indicate that

despite the critical role of individual counselling in lessening cancer stigma, improving decision- making, promoting problem-solving skills, enhancing comprehensive understanding, and fostering

preparedness, the optimal impact of individual counselling was curtailed by inadequate infrastructure, weak personalization of psychosocial care and weak flexibility at oncology clinics in Meru County. The study concluded that individual counselling positively impacts the psychological well-being of cancer patients at oncology clinics in Meru County. The study recommends a more tailored and flexible approach to the practice of individual counselling of cancer patients. Further, clinicians and psychologists should customize psychosocial interventions for each cancer patient.