Barriers to mental health service use and preferences for addressing emotional concerns among lung cancer patients

Abstract

Objective This study examined barriers to mental health service use and preferences for addressing emotional concerns among lung cancer patients (N=165) at two medical centers in the midwestern United States. Methods Lung cancer patients completed an assessment of anxiety and depressive symptoms, mental health service use, barriers to using these services, and preferences for addressing emotional concerns. Results Only 45% of distressed patients received mental health care since their lung cancer diagnosis. The most prevalent patient-reported barriers to mental health service use among non-users of these services (n=110) included the desire to independently manage emotional concerns (58%) and inadequate knowledge of services (19%). In addition, 57% of distressed patients who did not access mental health services did not perceive the need for help. Seventy-five percent of respondents (123/164) preferred to talk to a primary care physician if they were to have an emotional concern. Preferences for counseling, psychiatric medication, peer support, spiritual care, or independently managing emotional concerns also were endorsed by many patients (range=40%–50%). Older age was associated with a lower likelihood of preferring to see a counselor. Conclusions Findings suggest that many distressed lung cancer patients underuse mental health services and do not perceive the need for such services. Efforts to increase appropriate use of services should address patients' desire for autonomy and lack of awareness of services.

Who experiences unmet need for mental health services and what other barriers to accessing health care do they face? Findings from Australia and Canada

“…A noted reason people may not seek care or fully participate in care is the stigma surrounding the label of mental illness the perceived judgment it brings from others . It has also been shown that social support and cohesion in neighborhood settings may reduce the need to seek care among people without mental disorders . We considered how living with other adults as opposed to being the only adult in the household would be related to seeking care but there was no clear association.…”

Patient-Centered care in Cancer Treatment Programs: The Future of Integrative Oncology Through Psychoeducation

“…Some patients may not consider psychological counseling and some may avoid it due to perceived stigmas [84]. The development of efficient screening techniques will be necessary to rapidly assess patient needs and referral [85,86].…”

A Review of Posttraumatic Growth and Help‐Seeking Behavior in Cancer Survivors: Effects of Distal and Proximate Culture

“…Factors that have been identified to correlate with HSB among cancer survivors include: (a) perceived need for psychosocial services and support; (b) environmental conditions; (c) physical problems; and (d) psychological problems. First, perceived need for psychosocial services has been reported as a significant predictor to engage in HSB, whereas cognitive denial of one's own problems has been reported as a barrier (Dilworth, Higgins, Parker, Kelly, & Turner, ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui, Hirai, Shokoji, & Tokuyama, ; Mosher et al., ; Steginga et al., ). Second, environmental conditions, such as accessibility to service, cost of service, scheduling issues, and a lack of service‐related information, all contribute to HSB (Dilworth et al., ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui et al., ; Mosher et al., ).…”

“…First, perceived need for psychosocial services has been reported as a significant predictor to engage in HSB, whereas cognitive denial of one's own problems has been reported as a barrier (Dilworth, Higgins, Parker, Kelly, & Turner, ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui, Hirai, Shokoji, & Tokuyama, ; Mosher et al., ; Steginga et al., ). Second, environmental conditions, such as accessibility to service, cost of service, scheduling issues, and a lack of service‐related information, all contribute to HSB (Dilworth et al., ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui et al., ; Mosher et al., ). Third, physical problems, including bodily conditions, time since the diagnosis, sex, and age of patients, explain the likelihood of HSB (Grande, Myers, & Sutton, ; Matsui et al., ; Mosher et al., ).…”

“…Second, environmental conditions, such as accessibility to service, cost of service, scheduling issues, and a lack of service‐related information, all contribute to HSB (Dilworth et al., ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui et al., ; Mosher et al., ). Third, physical problems, including bodily conditions, time since the diagnosis, sex, and age of patients, explain the likelihood of HSB (Grande, Myers, & Sutton, ; Matsui et al., ; Mosher et al., ). Finally, psychological factors also play an important role (Bauman, Gervey, & Siegel, ; Chujo, Kigawa, & Okamura, ; Corboy, McLaren, Jenkins, & McDonald, ; Dilworth et al., ; Grande et al., ; Kumar et al., ; Matsui et al., ; McDowell et al., ; Mosher et al., ; Steginga et al., ).…”