Background
The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Psychosocial Care of Adults (2006) gave compelling evidence of the psychological sequelae following a diagnosis of cancer and the efficacy of clinical psychology (CP) interventions in addressing these. Steginga (2001) and Smith (2007) have also examined the supportive care needs of men and their partners when they face a diagnosis of prostate cancer and how CP interventions can address these needs.
Objectives
This paper aims to give the street view on referral to, and uptake of, CP services from referral and patient perspective.
Methods
Part 1 of this study asked 15 genito-urinary medical staff who attended the CRGH Uro-Oncology Multi-disciplinary Team Meeting (MDT) about their knowledge and use of CP services using 10-item cross-sectional survey.
Part 2 of the study used Change Questionnaire v2 by S Matthey (2007) mailed to 88 subjects who had been seen by the Urology CP during 2011. This 5-item questionnaire asked subjects to report if their symptoms were better than when they first came to the service and how they were feeling now; compared with the time of their referral.
Results
For part 1 will present 2012 results, but a previous study in 2009 showed that adjustment to diagnosis, anxiety and depression were most common reasons for referral. Reason for non referral was – unawareness of service or referral process.
Part 2 will present 2012 data, but in 2009 a study showed that 85% of patients had an improvement in their presentation symptoms and 81% felt a lot better than when they presented to the service. Patients identified themes of assistance as obtaining support; managing depression/anxiety etc and normalising of feelings.
Conclusion
This study will help promote the use and update of CP services in this population.
References:-
Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Psychosocial Care of Adults with Cancer (2003) National Breast Cancer Centre and the National Cancer Control Initiative.
Supportive Care needs of Men with Prostate Cancer. S Stegina, S Occhipinti et al (2000) Psycho-oncology Vol 10, 66-75
Age, health and education determine supportive care needs of men younger than 70 with prostate cancer. D Smith, R Suprmaniam et al (2007) Journal of Clinical Oncology Vol 25 (18), 2560-2556