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Strahlentherapie und Onkologie

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Open Access 01-07-2018 | Original Article

Cancer patients’ wish for psychological support during outpatient radiation therapy

Findings from a psychooncological monitoring program in clinical routine

Authors: D. Riedl, PhD, R. Gastl, E. Gamper, C. R. Arnold, D. Dejaco, F. Schoellmann, G. Rumpold

Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Background

Cancer patients frequently suffer from physical and psychosocial impairments due to their disease and its treatment. Psychooncology (PO) can help to cope with stress resulting from outpatient radiotherapy (RT) treatment. There are currently few data regarding patients’ wishes for PO support. The aim of this study was to investigate the number of patients with a wish for PO, treatment paths, and predictors of the wish for PO among cancer patients at the beginning of RT.

Methods

The results of routine psychological stress screening (Hornheide screening instrument; cut-off  ≥ 4) of 944 cancer patients between 2015 and 2017 were analyzed in a retrospective cross-sectional study. Predictors for a wish for PO support were identified by stepwise binary logistic regression, in which sociodemographic and treatment data were included in addition to the screening items.

Results

Around 20% of patients had above-average stress levels and 13% expressed a wish for PO support (participation rate was approximately 55%). Low emotional wellbeing (OR = 11.3) and lack of social support (OR = 9.4) were strong predictors for this treatment wish. Among patients with pancreatic cancer, head and neck tumors, and hematologic disease, there was a substantial difference between the degree of psychological stress and the wish for treatment. Patients with urological (23.5%) and lung tumors (20.9%) most frequently expressed a wish for PO support.

Conclusion

Patient-reported psychosocial problems were better predictors of a wish for PO support than sociodemographic or clinical data. Stress screening should thus be implemented in clinical routine.

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Title: Cancer patients’ wish for psychological support during outpatient radiation therapy
Findings from a psychooncological monitoring program in clinical routine
Authors: D. Riedl, PhD
R. Gastl
E. Gamper
C. R. Arnold
D. Dejaco
F. Schoellmann
G. Rumpold
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Strahlentherapie und Onkologie / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0179-7158
Electronic ISSN: 1439-099X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-018-1288-0

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Cancer patients’ wish for psychological support during outpatient radiation therapy

Findings from a psychooncological monitoring program in clinical routine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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