Is my patient suffering clinically significant emotional distress? Demonstration of a probabilities approach to evaluating algorithms for screening for distress

Abstract

This study demonstrated the application of probability statistics to develop an algorithm for screening for distress in oncology patients. In our sample, a two-stage screening algorithm improved appreciably on the performance of the DT alone to identify distressed patients. Sequential administration of a very brief instrument followed by selective use of a longer inventory may save time and increase acceptability.

Which items on the distress thermometer problem list are the most distressing?

“…This would provide an additional assessment step preceding potential referral to a specialty psycho-oncology service. Staged approaches like this have been suggested previously [19,24].…”

“…Oncology and haematology outpatients completed the DT, PL and other measures on a touchscreen computer (QUICATOUCH) prior to their oncology appointment. Details of the QUICATOUCH assessment and scoring algorithms have been described previously [18][19][20].…”

Examining the introduction of a supportive care screening and referral process for cancer patients: how does practice compare with protocols?

“…However, screening is merely the first step in a comprehensive process; it needs to be accompanied by evidence-based action. Whilst the literature on cancer supportive care reports on many aspects of screening for unmet needs [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], the next stepaddressing these needs-is less frequently researched and reported [12][13][14][15]. In response to these issues, the researchers developed a Supportive Care Resource Kit [16] as a resource for clinicians to enable a systematic process of screening cancer patients for unmet supportive care needs and addressing these needs by using evidence-based protocols.…”

Caregiver satisfaction with out-patient oncology services: utility of the FAMCARE instrument and development of the FAMCARE-6

“…In the clinical setting, we have developed a two-stage computerised screening programme for pain, psychological distress and depression or anxiety in ambulatory oncology patients, and we sought to extend this computerised screening to the caregivers to include a measure of satisfaction with delivery of clinical care for the patient [8][9][10]. In order to do this, we required a validated instrument that was quick to use and therefore short in terms of number of items, available in the public domain and practical to use in the ambulatory care setting of a busy oncology out-patient clinic.…”