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Psychosocial concerns of cancer patients in S ingapore
Author(s) -
Mahendran Rathi,
Lim Haikel A,
Chua Joanne,
Lim Siew Eng,
Kua Ee Heok
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
asia‐pacific journal of clinical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.73
H-Index - 29
eISSN - 1743-7563
pISSN - 1743-7555
DOI - 10.1111/ajco.12344
Subject(s) - psychosocial , worry , distress , sadness , quality of life (healthcare) , psycho oncology , cancer , medicine , cohort , anxiety , clinical psychology , psychology , family medicine , psychiatry , anger , nursing
Aims Psychosocial needs are high among cancer patients, and screening for these is recognized as integral to quality cancer care. This study identified the psychosocial needs of cancer patients at their first visit at a hematology‐oncology clinic. Methods Fifty‐four new consecutive patients completed the D istress Thermometer and the P roblem L ist, the H ospital A nxiety and D epression S cale, and the E uro Q ol Q uality of L ife S cale at their first visit to plan for chemotherapy. Data were analyzed with SPSS . Results Analyses revealed that participants had an average of 2.8 ± 2.3 problems, with 82% having psychosocial needs. Emotional concerns formed the top four psychosocial needs of the cohort (worry 46%, fears 26%, nervousness 26%, sadness 24%), with the fifth being a practical concern (insurance/finance 22%). The former were more frequent among 41‐ to 50‐year‐olds and significantly correlated with distress scores. Practical concerns were significantly correlated with depressive symptoms. Family concerns were more significant in women. The overall score on the Problem List correlated with distress, anxious symptomatology and poorer quality of life scores. Conclusions Distress and psychosocial needs are high in cancer patients even at an early stage prior to chemotherapy. Attention to these needs is crucial as they cause significant distress and affect the patient's quality of life.