A community‐based approach to cancer counselling for patients and carers: a preliminary study

Objective : The delivery of psychological care services to people with cancer and their carers is a key clinical priority that has yet to be broadly implemented. The present study aimed to provide guidance for service provision by describing a community‐based intervention approach; outlining the characteristics, psychological concerns, and distress outcomes for people who utilise the service. Methods : Over a 3‐year period 681 patients and 520 significant others referred from a community‐based Cancer Helpline received tele‐based psychosocial interventions. Results : In this case series presenting problems varied between patients and significant others, with significant others reporting higher levels of distress ( p <0.001). Both patients and significant others experienced decreases in distress over the period of the intervention ( p <0.001). Conclusions : This study provides level IV evidence that the tele‐based intervention for cancer‐related distress is an effective approach to service delivery. A randomised control trial is currently underway to assess the effectiveness of this approach. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.