Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis
Abstract Purpose Due to the growing number of new oncological diagnosis and the accompanying psychosocial burden, needs-based psycho-oncological care is important. Adequate planning of psycho-oncological support services is therefore becoming increasingly important. In order to better implement psyc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06107-y |
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| author | Hannah Zingler Diana Steinmann Jochen Ernst Ute Goerling Myriel Hermann Beate Hornemann Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Tanja Zimmermann |
| author_facet | Hannah Zingler Diana Steinmann Jochen Ernst Ute Goerling Myriel Hermann Beate Hornemann Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Tanja Zimmermann |
| author_sort | Hannah Zingler |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Due to the growing number of new oncological diagnosis and the accompanying psychosocial burden, needs-based psycho-oncological care is important. Adequate planning of psycho-oncological support services is therefore becoming increasingly important. In order to better implement psycho-oncological support services, we investigate psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho-oncological support offers in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Methods Based on a multicenter prospective study, we assessed the cross-sectional data on psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support in patients with different tumor entities within 2 months after initial diagnosis. Psychosocial distress was assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT). Results Of 1,003 eligible patients who completed the questionnaire (53.0% men, mean age 60.3 years) 39.7% (n = 390) showed above-threshold psychosocial stress (DT: scores ≥ 5) and 21% (n = 207) indicated a perceived need for psycho- social support. 13.5% (n = 136) showed both, psychosocial distress and perceived need for psycho- social support. 15.2% (n = 150) out of all participating patients used psycho-oncology service, 60.7% (n = 597) were willing to accept such an offer. Women were significantly more likely to be psychosocially distressed and to express a need for support. They were also significantly more likely to seek and be willing to accept psycho- social support. Conclusion Although most patients would accept a psycho- social service, regardless of whether there is psychosocial distress or a need is perceived, the actual utilization was relatively low. It can therefore be assumed that barriers, e.g. structural or personal ones, prevent access. These should be investigated in more detail in future studies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ca4216fa2fa448c0958aac9de5ea9ce3 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1432-1335 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology |
| spelling | doaj-art-ca4216fa2fa448c0958aac9de5ea9ce32025-02-09T12:10:37ZengSpringerJournal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology1432-13352025-02-01151211210.1007/s00432-025-06107-yPsychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosisHannah Zingler0Diana Steinmann1Jochen Ernst2Ute Goerling3Myriel Hermann4Beate Hornemann5Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf6Tanja Zimmermann7Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Radiotherapy, Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Comprehensive Cancer CenterCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Charité Comprehensive Cancer CenterComprehensive Cancer Center, University Clinic Centre DresdenDepartment of Medical Psychology and Medical Sociology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Central Germany (CCCG), University Medical Center LeipzigDepartment of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, Hannover Medical SchoolAbstract Purpose Due to the growing number of new oncological diagnosis and the accompanying psychosocial burden, needs-based psycho-oncological care is important. Adequate planning of psycho-oncological support services is therefore becoming increasingly important. In order to better implement psycho-oncological support services, we investigate psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho-oncological support offers in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Methods Based on a multicenter prospective study, we assessed the cross-sectional data on psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support in patients with different tumor entities within 2 months after initial diagnosis. Psychosocial distress was assessed using the Distress Thermometer (DT). Results Of 1,003 eligible patients who completed the questionnaire (53.0% men, mean age 60.3 years) 39.7% (n = 390) showed above-threshold psychosocial stress (DT: scores ≥ 5) and 21% (n = 207) indicated a perceived need for psycho- social support. 13.5% (n = 136) showed both, psychosocial distress and perceived need for psycho- social support. 15.2% (n = 150) out of all participating patients used psycho-oncology service, 60.7% (n = 597) were willing to accept such an offer. Women were significantly more likely to be psychosocially distressed and to express a need for support. They were also significantly more likely to seek and be willing to accept psycho- social support. Conclusion Although most patients would accept a psycho- social service, regardless of whether there is psychosocial distress or a need is perceived, the actual utilization was relatively low. It can therefore be assumed that barriers, e.g. structural or personal ones, prevent access. These should be investigated in more detail in future studies.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06107-yPsychooncologyCancerPsycho-social supportUtilization |
| spellingShingle | Hannah Zingler Diana Steinmann Jochen Ernst Ute Goerling Myriel Hermann Beate Hornemann Anja Mehnert-Theuerkauf Tanja Zimmermann Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology Psychooncology Cancer Psycho-social support Utilization |
| title | Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| title_full | Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| title_fullStr | Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| title_short | Psychosocial distress, perceived need and utilization of psycho- social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| title_sort | psychosocial distress perceived need and utilization of psycho social support services in patients in the early phase after the first cancer diagnosis |
| topic | Psychooncology Cancer Psycho-social support Utilization |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s00432-025-06107-y |
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