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Factors Associated with the Decline of Psychological Support in Hospitalized Patients with Cancer

by Theresia Pichler, Andreas Dinkel, Birgitt Marten-Mittag, Kerstin Hermelink, Eva Telzerow, Ulrike Ackermann, Claus Belka, Stephanie Combs, Christian Gratzke, Jürgen E. Gschwend, Nadia Harbeck, Volker Heinemann, Kathleen Herkommer, Marion Kiechle, Sven Mahner, Steffi Pigorsch, Josefine Rauch, Christian Stief, Jürgen Beckmann, Pia Heußner, Peter Herschbach · 2019

ISBN:  Unavailable

Category: Unavailable

Page count: Unavailable

Abstract: Objective<br>Many distressed cancer patients do not want or, finally, do not use psychological support. This study aimed at identifying factors associated with the decline of psychological support during hospital stay.<br><br>Methods<br>This cross-sectional study included inpatients with different cancer diagnoses. Distress was assessed using the short form of the Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer Patients-Revised (QSC-R10) and the Distress Thermometer (DT). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with decline.<br><br>Results<br>Of 925 patients, 71.6% (n = 662) declined psychological support. Male sex (OR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.69-3.80), low psychosocial distress (OR = 3.76, CI = 2.50-5.67), not feeling depressed (OR = 1.93, CI = 1.24-2.99), perceived overload (OR = 3.37, CI = 2.19-5.20), no previous psychological treatment (OR = 1.88, CI = 1.25-2.83), and feeling well informed about psychological support (OR = 1.66, CI = 1.11-2.46) were associated with decline. Among the patients who indicated clinical distress (46.2%), 53.9% declined psychological support. Male sex (OR = 2.96, CI = 1.71-5.12), not feeling depressed (OR = 1.87, CI = 1.12-3.14), perceived overload (OR = 5.37, CI = 3.07-9.37), agreeableness (OR = 0.70, CI = 0.51-0.95), and feeling well informed about psychological support (OR = 1.81, CI = 1.07-3.07) were uniquely associated with decline in this subgroup.<br><br>Conclusions<br>Decline of psychological support is primarily due to psychological factors. Feeling well informed about support emerged as a relevant factor associated with decline. Thus, design of informational material and education about available psychological services seem crucial