Top

Supportive Care in Cancer

Published in:

01-05-2020 | Psycho-oncology | Review Article

Distress screening and supportive care referrals used by telephone-based health services: a systematic review

Authors: Jo Taylor, Elizabeth A Fradgley, Tara Clinton-McHarg, Della Roach, Chris L Paul

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2020

Abstract

Purpose

People affected by chronic diseases such as cancer report high levels of distress and a need for psychosocial support. It is unclear whether telephone-based services for people affected by chronic disease are a practical setting for implementing distress screening, referral protocols and rescreening to direct supportive care where it is needed. This systematic review aimed to describe the published literature regarding distress screening and supportive care referral practices in telephone-based services for people affected by chronic diseases such as cancer.

Methods

A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane and Scopus was conducted in February 2018. Included quantitative studies involved: patients or caregivers affected by chronic diseases including cancer and describe a health service assessing psychosocial needs or distress via telephone. Extracted data included the type of cancer or other chronic disease, sample size, screening tool, referral or rescreening protocols, and type of health service.

Results

The search identified 3989 potential articles with additional searches returning 30 studies (n = 4019); fourteen were eligible for full-text review. Of the 14 studies, 13 included cancer patients. Studies were across multiple settings and identified nine distress screening tools in use.

Conclusion

The reviewed studies indicate that validated distress-screening tools are being used via telephone to identify distress, particularly in relation to cancer. Screening-driven supportive care referrals are also taking place in telephone-based services. However, not all services use an established referral protocol. Ongoing rescreening of callers’ distress is also limited despite it being an important recommendation from psycho-oncology guidelines.

Available only for authorised users

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) (2011) Key indicators of progress for chronic disease and associated determinants: data report. AIHW, Canberra

World Health Organization (2013) Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020. World Health Organization

Bloom DE, Cafiero E, Jané-Llopis E, Abrahams-Gessel S, Bloom LR, Fathima S, Feigl AB, Gaziano T, Hamandi A, Mowafi M (2012) The global economic burden of noncommunicable diseases. Program on the Global Demography of Aging

Yohannes A, Willgoss T, Baldwin R, Connolly M (2010) Depression and anxiety in chronic heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: prevalence, relevance, clinical implications and management principles. Int J Geriatr Psychiatr 25(12):1209–1221CrossRef

Reilly CM, Bruner DW, Mitchell SA, Minasian LM, Basch E, Dueck AC, Cella D, Reeve BB (2013) A literature synthesis of symptom prevalence and severity in persons receiving active cancer treatment. Support Care Cancer 21(6):1525–1550. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1688-0 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Holland JC, Bultz BD (2007) The NCCN guideline for distress management: a case for making distress the sixth vital sign. J Natl Compr Cancer Netw 5(1):3–7CrossRef

National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) (2015) NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology: Distress Management (Version 3.2015)

Carlson LE, Waller A, Groff SL, Bultz BD (2013) Screening for distress, the sixth vital sign, in lung cancer patients: effects on pain, fatigue, and common problems—secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. Psycho-Oncology 22(8):1880–1888CrossRef

Ormel J, Von Korff M, Burger H, Scott K, Demyttenaere K, Y-q H, Posada-Villa J, Lepine JP, Angermeyer MC, Levinson D (2007) Mental disorders among persons with heart disease—results from World Mental Health surveys. Gen Hosp Psychiatry 29(4):325–334CrossRef

10.

Bohlmeijer E, Prenger R, Taal E, Cuijpers P (2010) The effects of mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on mental health of adults with a chronic medical disease: a meta-analysis. J Psychosom Res 68(6):539–544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2009.10.005 CrossRefPubMed

11.

Russ TC, Stamatakis E, Hamer M, Starr JM, Kivimäki M, Batty GD (2012) Association between psychological distress and mortality: individual participant pooled analysis of 10 prospective cohort studies. Bmj 345:e4933CrossRef

12.

Holland JC, Andersen B, Breitbart WS, Buchmann LO, Compas B, Deshields TL, Dudley MM, Fleishman S, Fulcher CD, Greenberg DB (2013) Distress management. J Natl Compr Cancer Netw 11(2):190–209CrossRef

13.

Carlson LE, Waller A, Mitchell AJ (2012) Screening for distress and unmet needs in patients with cancer: review and recommendations. J Clin Oncol 30(11):1160–1177CrossRef

14.

Chambers S, Girgis A, Occhipinti S, Hutchison S, Turner J, Morris B, Dunn J (2012) Psychological distress and unmet supportive care needs in cancer patients and carers who contact cancer helplines. European Journal of Cancer Care 21(2):213–223CrossRef

15.

Livingston PM, Osborne RH, Botti M, Mihalopoulos C, McGuigan S, Heckel L, Gunn K, Chirgwin J, Ashley DM, Williams M (2014) Efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an outcall program to reduce carer burden and depression among carers of cancer patients [PROTECT]: rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Health Serv Res 14(1):1CrossRef

16.

Fennell K, Heckel L, Wilson C, Byrnes M, Livingston P, Fennell KM, Livingston PM (2016) How calls from carers, friends and family members of someone affected by cancer differ from those made by people diagnosed with cancer; analysis of 4 years of South Australian Cancer Council Helpline data. Support Care Cancer 24(6):2611–2618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3069-y CrossRefPubMed

17.

Schrag A, Hovris A, Morley D, Quinn N, Jahanshahi M (2006) Caregiver-burden in Parkinson’s disease is closely associated with psychiatric symptoms, falls, and disability. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 12(1):35–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parkreldis.2005.06.011 CrossRefPubMed

18.

Pinto RA, Holanda MA, Medeiros MM, Mota RM, Pereira ED (2007) Assessment of the burden of caregiving for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med 101(11):2402–2408CrossRef

19.

Oyegbile YO, Brysiewicz P (2017) Exploring caregiver burden experienced by family caregivers of patients with end-stage renal disease in Nigeria. Int J Afr Nurs Sci 7:136–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijans.2017.11.005 CrossRef

20.

Kaufer DI, Cummings JL, Christine D, Bray T, Castellon S, Masterman D, MacMillan A, Ketchel P, DeKosky ST (1998) Assessing the impact of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease: the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Caregiver Distress Scale. J Am Geriatr Soc 46(2):210–215CrossRef

21.

Jacobsen PB, Ransom S (2007) Implementation of NCCN distress management guidelines by member institutions. J Natl Compr Cancer Netw 5(1):99–103CrossRef

22.

Jacobsen PB, Lee M (2015) Integrating psychosocial care into routine cancer care. Cancer control 22(4):442–449CrossRef

23.

Newell S, Sanson-Fisher RW, Girgis A, Bonaventura A (1998) How well do medical oncologists’ perceptions reflect their patients' reported physical and psychosocial problems? Data from a survey of five oncologists. Cancer 83(8):1640–1651CrossRef

24.

Okuyama T, Akechi T, Yamashita H, Toyama T, Nakaguchi T, Uchida M, Furukawa TA (2011) Oncologists’ recognition of supportive care needs and symptoms of their patients in a breast cancer outpatient consultation. Jpn J Clin Oncol 41(11):1251–1258. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjco/hyr146 CrossRefPubMed

25.

Gouveia L, Lelorain S, Brédart A, Dolbeault S, Bonnaud-Antignac A, Cousson-Gélie F, Sultan S (2015) Oncologists’ perception of depressive symptoms in patients with advanced cancer: accuracy and relational correlates. BMC Psychology 3(1):6–11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-015-0063-6 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

26.

Australian Government Initiative (2017) Chronic disease management model of care evidence summary May 2017

27.

Vodermaier A, Linden W, Siu C (2009) Screening for emotional distress in cancer patients: a systematic review of assessment instruments. J Natl Cancer Inst 101(21):1464–1488CrossRef

28.

Feldstain A, Tomei C, Bélanger M, Lebel S (2014) Screening for distress in patients with cancer: methodologic considerations. Curr Oncol 21(2):e330–e333. https://doi.org/10.3747/co.21.1794 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

29.

Rankin NM, Butow PN, Thein T, Robinson T, Shaw JM, Price MA, Clover K, Shaw T, Grimison P (2015) Everybody wants it done but nobody wants to do it: an exploration of the barrier and enablers of critical components towards creating a clinical pathway for anxiety and depression in cancer. BMC Health Serv Res 15(1):28CrossRef

30.

Clover K, Carter GL, Mackinnon A, Adams C (2009) Is my patient suffering clinically significant emotional distress? Demonstration of a probabilities approach to evaluating algorithms for screening for distress. Support Care Cancer 17(12):1455–1462CrossRef

31.

Fennell KM, Heckel L, Wilson C, Byrnes M, Livingston PM (2016) How calls from carers, friends and family members of someone affected by cancer differ from those made by people diagnosed with cancer; analysis of 4 years of South Australian Cancer Council Helpline data. Support Care Cancer 24(6):2611–2618. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-3069-y CrossRefPubMed

32.

Fradgley EA, Byrnes E, McCarter K, Rankin N, Britton B, Clover K, Carter G, Bellamy D, Paul CL (2019) A cross-sectional audit of current practices and areas for improvement of distress screening and management in Australian cancer services: is there a will and a way to improve? Support Care Cancer:1–11

33.

Stacey D, Macartney G, Carley M, Harrison M, COSTaRS (2013) Development and evaluation of evidence-informed clinical nursing protocols for remote assessment, triage and support of cancer treatment-induced symptoms. Nursing Research and Practice:1–11

34.

Emery JD, Jefford M, King M, Hayne D, Martin A, Doorey J, Hyatt A, Habgood E, Lim T, Hawks C (2017) ProCare trial: a phase II randomized controlled trial of shared care for follow-up of men with prostate cancer. BJU Int 119(3):381–389CrossRef

35.

Clinton-McHarg T, Paul C, Boyes A, Rose S, Vallentine P, O’Brien L (2014) Do cancer helplines deliver benefits to people affected by cancer? A systematic review. Patient Educ Couns 97(3):302–309CrossRef

36.

Howell D, Mayo S, Currie S, Jones G, Boyle M, Hack T, Green E, Hoffman L, Collacutt V, McLeod D (2012) Psychosocial health care needs assessment of adult cancer patients: a consensus-based guideline. Support Care Cancer 20(12):3343–3354CrossRef

37.

Diabetes Australia (2018) NDSS Helpline 1300 136 588. https://www.ndss.com.au/support-services. Accessed 01/08/18

38.

Heart Foundtation Australia (2018) Heart Foundation Helpline 13 11 12. https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/support/heart-foundation-helpline. Accessed 01/08/18 2018

39.

Stroke Foundation (2018) StrokeLine 1800 787 653. https://strokefoundation.org.au/About-Stroke/Help-after-stroke/StrokeLine. Accessed 02/08/18 2018

40.

Lung Foundation Australia (2018) Information and Support Centre 1800 654 301 https://lungfoundation.com.au/patient-support/. Accessed 02/08/18 2018

41.

Asthma Australia (2018) 1800 ASTHMA Helpline (1800 278 462) https://www.asthmaaustralia.org.au/national/home. Accessed 02/08/18 2018

42.

Morra ME, Thomsen C, Vezina A, Akkerman D, Bright MA, Dickens C, Hill DJ, Jefford M (2007) The international cancer information service: a worldwide resource. J Cancer Educ 22(S1):S61–S69CrossRef

43.

Marcus AC, Garrett KM, Kulchak-Rahm A, Barnes D, Dortch W, Juno S (2002) Telephone counseling in psychosocial oncology: a report from the Cancer Information and Counseling Line. Patient Educ Couns 46(4):267–275CrossRef

44.

Ward JA (1998) The value and impact of the Cancer Information Service telephone service. Part 4. J Health Commun 3(sup1):50–70CrossRef

45.

LA Moher D, Tetzlaff J, Altman DG (2009) Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PloS Med 6(7):e1000097. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed1000097 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

46.

Schardt C, Adams MB, Owens T, Keitz S, Fontelo P (2007) Utilization of the PICO framework to improve searching PubMed for clinical questions. BMC medical informatics and decision making 7(1):16CrossRef

47.

Veritas Health Innovation (2018) Covidence systematic review software. Veritas Health Innovation. www.covidence.org. Accessed 14/02/18 2018

48.

Butow P, Price MA, Shaw JM, Turner J, Clayton JM, Grimison P, Rankin N, Kirsten L (2015) Clinical pathway for the screening, assessment and management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients: Australian guidelines. Psycho-Oncology 24(9):987–1001CrossRef

49.

Chambers SK, Girgis A, Occhipinti S, Hutchison S, Turner J, McDowell M, Mihalopoulos C, Carter R, Dunn JC (2014) A randomized trial comparing two low-intensity psychological interventions for distressed patients with cancer and their caregivers. Oncol Nurs Forum 41(4):E256–E266. https://doi.org/10.1188/14.ONF.E256-E266 CrossRefPubMed

50.

de Miranda S, Pochard F, Chaize M, Megarbane B, Cuvelier A, Bele N, Gonzalez-Bermejo J, Aboab J, Lautrette A, Lemiale V, Roche N, Thirion M, Chevret S, Schlemmer B, Similowski T, Azoulay E (2011) Postintensive care unit psychological burden in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and informal caregivers: a multicenter study. Crit Care Med 39(1):112–118. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181feb824 CrossRefPubMed

51.

Hawkes AL, Hughes KL, Hutchison SD, Chambers SK (2010) Feasibility of brief psychological distress screening by a community-based telephone helpline for cancer patients and carers. BMC Cancer 10:14. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-10-14 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

52.

Hughes KL, Sargeant H, Hawkes AL (2011) Acceptability of the Distress Thermometer and Problem List to community-based telephone cancer helpline operators, and to cancer patients and carers. BMC Cancer 11:46. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2407-11-46 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

53.

Linehan K, Fennell KM, Hughes DL, Wilson CJ (2017) Use of the Distress Thermometer in a cancer helpline context: can it detect changes in distress, is it acceptable to nurses and callers, and do high scores lead to internal referrals? Eur J Oncol Nurs 26:49–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2016.12.005 CrossRefPubMed

54.

Pimentel LE, Yennurajalingam S, Chisholm G, Edwards T, Guerra-Sanchez M, De La Cruz M, Tanco K, Vidal M, Bruera E (2015) The frequency and factors associated with the use of a dedicated Supportive Care Center Telephone Triaging Program in patients with advanced cancer at a comprehensive cancer center. J Pain Symptom Manag 49(5):939–944. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2014.10.020 CrossRef

55.

Bakitas M, Lyons KD, Hegel MT, Balan S, Barnett KN, Brokaw FC, Byock IR, Hull JG, Li Z, McKinstry E, Seville JL, Ahles TA, Bakitas M, Lyons KD, Hegel MT, Balan S, Barnett KN, Brokaw FC, Byock IR, Hull JG (2009) The project ENABLE II randomized controlled trial to improve palliative care for rural patients with advanced cancer: baseline findings, methodological challenges, and solutions. Palliative & Supportive Care 7(1):75–86. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951509000108 CrossRef

56.

Compaci G, Rueter M, Lamy S, Oberic L, Recher C, Lapeyre-Mestre M, Laurent G, Despas F (2015) Ambulatory Medical Assistance--After Cancer (AMA-AC): a model for an early trajectory survivorship survey of lymphoma patients treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy. BMC Cancer 15:781. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-015-1815-7 CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

57.

Cox A, Bull E, Cockle-Hearne J, Knibb W, Potter C, Faithfull S (2008) Nurse led telephone follow up in ovarian cancer: a psychosocial perspective. Eur J Oncol Nurs 12(5):412–417. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2008.06.002 CrossRefPubMed

58.

Serena A, Dwyer A, Peters S, Eicher M (2017) Feasibility of advanced practice nursing in lung cancer consultations during early treatment: a phase II study. Eur J Oncol Nurs 29:106–114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2017.05.007 CrossRefPubMed

59.

Livingston PM, Craike MJ, White VM, Hordern AJ, Jefford M, Botti MA, Lethborg C, Oldroyd JC (2010) A nurse-assisted screening and referral program for depression among survivors of colorectal cancer: feasibility study. Med J Aust 193(5 Suppl):S83–S87PubMed

60.

Steginga SK, Ferguson M, Clutton S, Gardiner RA, Nicol D (2008) Early decision and psychosocial support intervention for men with localised prostate cancer: an integrated approach. Support Care Cancer 16(7):821–829CrossRef

61.

Fradgley E, Paul C, Bryant J, Zucca A, Oldmeadow C (2018) System-wide and group-specific health service improvements: cross-sectional survey of outpatient improvement preferences and associations with demographic characteristics. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(2):179CrossRef

62.

Smith A, Pennington A, Carter B, Gething S, Price M, White J, Dewar R, Hewitt J (2018) Acceptability of the method of administration of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) with stroke survivors, a randomised controlled trial protocol. Trials 19(1):349CrossRef

63.

International Psycho-Oncology Society (2010) International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS), Statement on Standards and Clinical Practice Guidelines in Cancer Care

64.

Flodgren G, Rachas A, Farmer AJ, Inzitari M, Shepperd S (2015) Interactive telemedicine: effects on professional practice and health care outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 9. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD002098.pub2

65.

Stacey D, Bakker D, Ballantyne B, Chapman K, Cumminger J, Green E, Harrison M, Howell D, Kuziemsky C, MacKenzie T (2012) Managing symptoms during cancer treatments: evaluating the implementation of evidence-informed remote support protocols. Implement Sci 7(1):110CrossRef

Title: Distress screening and supportive care referrals used by telephone-based health services: a systematic review
Authors: Jo Taylor
Elizabeth A Fradgley
Tara Clinton-McHarg
Della Roach
Chris L Paul
Publication date: 01-05-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Psycho-oncology
Psycho-oncology
Care
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2020
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05252-8

Webinar | 19-02-2024 | 17:30 (CET)

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer

Watch now

Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are novel agents that have shown promise across multiple tumor types. Explore the current landscape of ADCs in breast and lung cancer with our experts, and gain insights into the mechanism of action, key clinical trials data, existing challenges, and future directions.

Dr. Véronique Diéras

Prof. Fabrice Barlesi

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 5/2020

Effects of a Cancer Survivorship Clinic—preliminary results

Systematic review of oral cryotherapy for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines

Randomized open-label phase II trial of 5-day aprepitant plus ondansetron compared to ondansetron alone in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea-vomiting (CINV) in glioma patients receiving adjuvant temozolomide

Inter-rater reliability in performance status assessment among healthcare professionals: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Systematic review of antimicrobials, mucosal coating agents, anesthetics, and analgesics for the management of oral mucositis in cancer patients and clinical practice guidelines

Quality of life and fear of disease progression are associated with aspects of health literacy in men with prostate cancer from Germany

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on antibody–drug conjugates in cancer