Psychosocial Information Requirements for Multimorbid Breast Cancer Patients in Breast Centres in North Rhine Westphalia

Schmitz, C; Ernstmann, Nicole

doi:10.1055/s-0035-1546271

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 33 publications

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“…To what extent these structures are adequate from the patients’ perspective has to be subject to further research. There are indications that the support needs of specific groups of patients with breast cancer, for example, patients with an immigration background, 12 patients with comorbidities, 13 patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy or showing passive-resigning coping skills, 14 patients who are offered individualised treatment approaches based on molecular genetic methods, 15 male patients with breast cancer, or patients’ partners or caregivers, 16 17 have not yet been addressed adequately. Should subsequent studies reveal that disease-specific, treatment-related or target group-specific needs are not fully met, it will be necessary to examine the institutional determinants in order to derive specific measures for the underserved patient groups.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psycho-oncology care in breast cancer centres: a nationwide survey

Ernstmann

Enders

Halbach

et al. 2019

BMJ Support Palliat Care

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ObjectiveTo describe psycho-oncological care structures and processes in German breast cancer centres from the perspective of the centre administration.MethodsThe findings are based on a postal survey of a representative random sample of surgical sites of certified breast cancer centres in Germany. Data were collected in 2013 and 2014. The questionnaire included questions about infrastructure, patient information standards, psycho-oncological services and aspects of organisational culture. Data analyses included frequencies, means and bivariate relationships.ResultsThe return rate was 88.3% (53 hospital sites). Psycho-oncological care is provided by permanent employees in 87%. The average number of full-time-equivalent employees (FTE) is 1.23. Most breast cancer centres engage the occupational group of psycho-oncologists for psycho-oncological care (90%), followed by the medical service (80%) and breast care nurses (78%) (multiple answers were possible). The correlation coefficient between FTEs and surgical treatments per year is not significant (r=0.292, p=0.051). Hospitals are screening every inpatient for the need of psycho-oncological support in 76% of all sites. Frequently used screening instruments are distress thermometer (19%), clinical interview (13%) and basic psycho-oncological documentation (11%).ConclusionOur data provide insights into the self-reported structural and procedural quality of psycho-oncological care in German breast cancer centres. Further research should examine patient and caregiver perspective on the psycho-oncological services provided by breast cancer centres.

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