Cancer resource centers as third places
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to empirically illustrate the socially supportive role of cancer resource centers in their members' lives.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors employ the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the QLQ-C30 to investigate the relationships between social support and respondents' quality of life. The authors also draw on internal cancer resource center data.
Findings
The results show that the type of classes respondents engage in at the center, frequency of class/activity attendance, and member-to-member social support do not influence respondents' perceived quality of life. However, employee-to-member support does enhance a respondent's quality of life.
Research limitations/implications
The study suggests that the activity programming at cancer resource centers is a conduit for the socially supportive relationships that form between and among employees and members. Given that the sample site was situated in a high-income, relatively stable suburban locale, the findings may not generalize to all locales.
Practical implications
The study helps inform medical practitioners about the social supportive benefits that cancer resource centers offer cancer patients. This article discusses a cancer center's Connect-to-Care program, which joins together an oncologist and a cancer center representative at a patient's initial cancer diagnosis.
Social implications
Oncologists and people living with, or affected by, cancer need to be aware of the healing potential of cancer resource centers.
Originality/value
This article links the third-place paradigm with public health. Cancer resource centers emerge as third places where people living with cancer may obtain support from center employees, which enhances their quality of life.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Jane Mall, Director of the Experiential Learning Center at Northern Illinois University, the Northern Illinois University College of Business, and McKesson for all their support of this research. The authors are also grateful to Aaron Marszal, Liz Erndt, and Ashley Schulter for their help with data gathering. Finally, the authors thank the attendees of the 2011 Frontiers in Services Conference for their helpful comments regarding the paper.
Citation
Scott Rosenbaum, M. and Smallwood, J. (2013), "Cancer resource centers as third places", Journal of Services Marketing, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 472-484. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSM-10-2011-0147
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited