Predictors of cancer patients' utilization of psychooncological support: Examining patient´s attitude and physician´s recommendation

Goerling U, Albus C, Bergelt C, Erim Y, Faller H, Geiser F, Hönig K, Hornemann B, Maatouk I, Stein B, Teufel M, Wickert M, Weis J (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Springer Verlag (Germany)

DOI: 10.1007/s00432-023-05507-2

Abstract

Purpose: Patients with cancer suffer from a wide range of psychological distress. Nevertheless, in the literature low utilization rates of psychooncological services are reported. Various factors may influence the utilization of professional support during inpatient care. Up to now it is unclear to what extent patients’ attitude towards psychooncological support and physicians’ recommendation for psychooncological care may influence the utilization. Methods: In a multicenter longitudinal observational study in Comprehensive Cancer Centers Germany, 1398 patients with mixed cancer diagnoses were assessed at baseline during their hospital stay with respect to psychooncological distress and the need for and use of psychooncological services. Results: Psychooncological support was used by almost 28.4% of patients up to this time. A positive attitude towards psychooncological support was reported by 41.6%. A recommendation of psychooncological support by a physician was received by 16.2%. These patients reported a significant higher level of distress compared to patients who did not received a recommendation. Multivariable logistic regression detected that the utilization rate was 3.79 times higher among patients with positive attitude towards psychooncological support (OR, 3.79; 95% CI 2.51–5.73, p < 0.001). Utilization was 4.21 times more likely among patients who received a physician´s recommendation (OR, 4.21; 95% CI 2.98–5.95, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of the study provide evidence of the relevance of giving more attention to psychooncological distress and attitudes towards psychooncological care. To reduce reservations, patients need low-threshold information about the psychooncological services offered.

Authors with CRIS profile

Yesim Erim Professur für Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie

Involved external institutions

Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Köln DE Germany (DE) Universitätsmedizin Greifswald / Universitätsklinikum Greifswald DE Germany (DE) Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Bonn DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Ulm DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus Dresden DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Würzburg DE Germany (DE) Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Tübingen DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Freiburg DE Germany (DE) Paracelsus Medizinische Privatuniversität, Nürnberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Goerling, U., Albus, C., Bergelt, C., Erim, Y., Faller, H., Geiser, F.,... Weis, J. (2023). Predictors of cancer patients' utilization of psychooncological support: Examining patient´s attitude and physician´s recommendation. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-023-05507-2

MLA:

Goerling, Ute, et al. "Predictors of cancer patients' utilization of psychooncological support: Examining patient´s attitude and physician´s recommendation." Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology (2023).

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