Organizing Psycho-Oncological Care for Cancer Patients: The Patient’s Perspective

Abstract

BackgroundCancer patients often suffer from psychological distress during or after cancer treatment, but the use of psycho-oncological care among cancer patients is limited. One of the reasons might be that the way psycho-oncological care is organized, does not fit patients’ preferences. This study aimed to obtain detailed insight into cancer patients’ preferences regarding the organization of psycho-oncological care.Methods18 semi-structured interviews were conducted among cancer patients. Patients completed psycho-oncological treatment between 2015 and 2020 at the psychology department in a general hospital or a center specialized in psychological cancer care in the Netherlands. The interview comprised questions related to preferences regarding the institute where to receive treatment, the psychologist who provides treatment, and the type of treatment, as well as questions related to experienced barriers and facilitators to receive psycho-oncological care. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed individually by two coders into key issues and themes.ResultsRegarding the institute, easy accessibility and prompt availability of psychol-oncological care were considered important. Regarding the psychologist, most participants had a strong preference to be treated by a psychologist specialized in cancer or other somatic diseases. Individual face-to-face therapy was preferred above other types of treatment. Several barriers were mentioned to receive psycho-oncological treatment, among which poor accessibility to psycho-oncological care, lack of knowledge on the possibilities for psycho-oncological treatment, and stigma. Most frequently mentioned facilitators were being assertive to ask for help, having a good relationship with the healthcare professional, and the integration of psycho-oncological support within medical cancer care.ConclusionFrom the patient’s perspective, the organization of psycho-oncological care for cancer patients should focus on easy accessibility and availability, delivered by specialized psychologists, and integration in medical cancer care. Online and group therapy are acceptable, but individual face-to-face therapy is preferred. It is warranted to increase awareness on psycho-oncological care targeting both patients and healthcare providers.

Patients’ Desire for Psychological Support When Receiving a Cancer Diagnostic

“…This can lead to a confusion about what “psychological intervention” or “psychological support” means [ 33 ]. This may be of relevance here, since previous studies [ 24 , 32 ] have reported that the most common request for help was for face-to-face contact.…”

“…However, when asked if they wanted to receive psychological support without explaining what kind of support it would be, only 20% of patients were engaged [ 24 , 25 ]. Furthermore, it seems that while online and group therapy are acceptable for patients, individual face-to-face therapy is preferred [ 32 ].…”

Navigating severe chronic cancer-related fatigue: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

“…Psycho-oncological care is a form of care that is lifeworld-led and focuses on the person as a whole and their significant others, which provides an existential view of well-being rather than focusing on one's illness. This type of care seems a promising way of helping patients handle the complex, dynamic, embodied problems that CCRF poses (Dahlberg et al, 2009;Schuit et al, 2021;Todres et al, 2007). Because patients are easily fatigued after travelling, web-based interventions for CCRF could offer a valuable alternative (Bruggeman-Everts et al, 2017).…”

Building a Personalized Medicine Infrastructure for Gynecological Oncology Patients in a High-Volume Hospital

“…Even when expected, chemotherapy-induced alopecia affects women's perception of femininity [45][46][47], such as feelings of shame and social stigma [48]. When patients experience psychological distress during or after cancer treatment, they require prompt availability of psycho-oncological care [49]. Healthcare professionals, such as nurses and care managers, could routinely monitor for distress and other concerns, while social workers, mental health professionals, and chaplains could help patients to understand their illness experience and provide comfort to the patient as they cope with uncertainty and burden [13].…”