D Wollbrück1, H Danker, P Ullrich, J Pabich, S Singer. 1. Abteilung Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Sektion Psychoonkologie, Universität Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland, dorit.wollbrueck@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Head and neck cancer patients show a high psychiatric comorbidity, yet receive only little psychosocial support. Therefore, a specific psychosocial qualification for speech therapists working with head and neck cancer patients seems necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A course was developed based on a process model. Questionnaires were completed by speech therapists (self-evaluation of working situation; n = 15) as well as therapists interested in further training (collection of issues in the work with head and neck patients who are under psychological pressure assessed as problematic by the therapists; n = 27), whose competence in communication was also evaluated. In addition, a literature research was conducted and a focus group was formed. RESULTS: High psychosocial demands within the therapists' work with tumor patients and difficulties in communication became obvious. Nearly all interviewees frequently used nonconducive communication patterns, yet implicit knowledge existed (usage of a favorable conversational style in multiple choice test: 68 %). The content and concept of the curriculum were discussed within the focus group and led to the final version of the training. CONCLUSION: A customised psycho-social training curriculum for speech therapists has been developed.
OBJECTIVE: Head and neck cancerpatients show a high psychiatric comorbidity, yet receive only little psychosocial support. Therefore, a specific psychosocial qualification for speech therapists working with head and neck cancerpatients seems necessary. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A course was developed based on a process model. Questionnaires were completed by speech therapists (self-evaluation of working situation; n = 15) as well as therapists interested in further training (collection of issues in the work with head and neck patients who are under psychological pressure assessed as problematic by the therapists; n = 27), whose competence in communication was also evaluated. In addition, a literature research was conducted and a focus group was formed. RESULTS:High psychosocial demands within the therapists' work with tumorpatients and difficulties in communication became obvious. Nearly all interviewees frequently used nonconducive communication patterns, yet implicit knowledge existed (usage of a favorable conversational style in multiple choice test: 68 %). The content and concept of the curriculum were discussed within the focus group and led to the final version of the training. CONCLUSION: A customised psycho-social training curriculum for speech therapists has been developed.
Authors: Johannes Kruse; Norbert Schmitz; Wolfgang Wöller; Beate Clar; Edith Meyer; Achim Grinschgl; Wolfgang Tress Journal: Z Psychosom Med Psychother Date: 2003 Impact factor: 0.791