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Supportive Care in Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer 2/2010

01-02-2010 | Special Article

Psychosocial care for patients and their families is integral to supportive care in cancer: MASCC position statement

Authors: Antonella Surbone, Lea Baider, Tammy S. Weitzman, Mary Jacqueline Brames, Cynthia N. Rittenberg, Judith Johnson, on behalf of the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group Psychosocial Study Group at www.massc.org

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 2/2010

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Abstract

This position paper, written on behalf of the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group, reviews the most common psychosocial concerns and needs of cancer patients during all phases of the cancer continuum, from diagnosis to death or survivorship. Developments in psychosocial care at both individual and systems levels are surveyed and summarized, along with gaps in knowledge and research and needed improvements in the dissemination and application of acquired knowledge and expertise. The roles of culture, spirituality, and religion as part of psychosocial care are reviewed, along with families’ and caregivers’ specific psychosocial concerns and needs, and areas of needed psychosocial interventions in supportive cancer care. Deficits in recognizing and meeting patients’ psychosocial needs at the system level are examined, and international guidelines and models of psychosocial care are reviewed, including their potential applications to local contexts. The paper calls for a shift to a new paradigm of care through adoption of an integrated approach to identify and meet the psychosocial needs of cancer patients and survivors as part of supportive care worldwide.
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Metadata
Title
Psychosocial care for patients and their families is integral to supportive care in cancer: MASCC position statement
Authors
Antonella Surbone
Lea Baider
Tammy S. Weitzman
Mary Jacqueline Brames
Cynthia N. Rittenberg
Judith Johnson
on behalf of the MASCC Psychosocial Study Group Psychosocial Study Group at www.massc.org
Publication date
01-02-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 2/2010
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-009-0693-4

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