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Utilization of professional psychological care in a large German sample of cancer patients.
- Source :
- Psycho-Oncology; Apr2017, Vol. 26 Issue 4, p537-543, 7p, 3 Charts
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- <bold>Objective: </bold>Although one-third of cancer patients are perceived to have a need for psychological support based on the percentage of mental disorders, little is known about the actual utilization of psychological care in cancer. We aimed to assess cancer patients' reported use of psychological care and its correlates in a large, representative sample.<bold>Methods: </bold>In a multicenter, cross-sectional study in Germany, 4020 cancer patients (mean age 58 years, 51% women) were evaluated. We obtained self-reports of use of psychotherapy and psychological counseling. We measured distress with the Distress Thermometer, symptoms of depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire, anxiety with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, and social support with the Illness-specific Social Support Scale. In a subsample of 2141, we evaluated the presence of a mental disorder using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview.<bold>Results: </bold>In total, 28.9% (95% confidence interval 27.4%-30.4%) reported having used psychotherapy or psychological counseling or both because of distress due to cancer. Independent correlates of utilization included age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.97 per year], sex (male, OR = 0.55), social support (OR = 0.96), symptoms of depression (OR = 1.04) and anxiety (OR = 1.08), the diagnosis of a mental disorder (OR = 1.68), and a positive attitude toward psychosocial support (OR = 1.27). Less than half of those currently diagnosed with a mental disorder reported having taken up psychological support offers.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Special efforts should be made to reach populations that report low utilization of psychological care in spite of having a need for support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- CANCER patients
MENTAL illness
PATHOLOGICAL psychology
ANXIETY
SOCIAL support
THERAPEUTICS
TUMOR treatment
TUMORS & psychology
ANXIETY disorders treatment
COMPARATIVE studies
COUNSELING
MENTAL depression
RESEARCH methodology
MEDICAL cooperation
PHYSICIAN-patient relations
PSYCHOTHERAPY
QUESTIONNAIRES
RESEARCH
TUMORS
EVALUATION research
CROSS-sectional method
ANXIETY disorders
DISEASE complications
PSYCHOLOGY
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 10579249
- Volume :
- 26
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Psycho-Oncology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 122406279
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4197