Jochen Ernst1, Anja Mehnert2, Joachim Weis3, Tanja Faust3, Jürgen M Giesler3, Julia Roick2. 1. Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universitätsmedizin Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland. jochen.ernst@medizin.uni-leipzig.de. 2. Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universitätsmedizin Leipzig, Philipp-Rosenthal-Straße 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland. 3. Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Klinik für Tumorbiologie, UKF Reha gGmbh Freiburg/Br., Freiburg, Deutschland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Outpatient psychosocial cancer care has gained importance in recent years and psychosocial counselling services (PCS) offer a broad spectrum of counselling interventions. Yet there is no published research on PCS legal counselling services. This study investigated the range of issues addressed by legal counselling and their relationship with characteristics of advice seekers and counsellors. METHODS: We analyzed the records of 21 PCS funded by the German Cancer Aid (DKH) including 5203 advice seekers (80 % patients, 20 % others including friends and family; age ∅ 54 years; 24 % male) in 20,947 counselling sessions. We calculated descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses (legal counselling: yes/no). RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of counselling seekers received legal counselling and 28 % approached the PCS exclusively for legal counselling. The proportion of people seeking legal advice ranged from 15 to 87 % between counselling centers. The most common topics during legal counselling were medical rehabilitation programs (57 %) and disability law (43 %). Counselling occurred in a single session in 68 % of cases and was mostly sought by older and unemployed persons with a recent diagnosis. Legal counselling made up 18 % of counselling time. Legal advice was mostly given by social workers (71 %). CONCLUSIONS: Legal counselling is a major part of psychosocial care services. Our results reveal large differences between counselling centers. Further research on quality of care and efficacy of legal counseling is needed.
BACKGROUND:Outpatientpsychosocial cancer care has gained importance in recent years and psychosocial counselling services (PCS) offer a broad spectrum of counselling interventions. Yet there is no published research on PCS legal counselling services. This study investigated the range of issues addressed by legal counselling and their relationship with characteristics of advice seekers and counsellors. METHODS: We analyzed the records of 21 PCS funded by the German CancerAid (DKH) including 5203 advice seekers (80 % patients, 20 % others including friends and family; age ∅ 54 years; 24 % male) in 20,947 counselling sessions. We calculated descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analyses (legal counselling: yes/no). RESULTS: Fifty-five percent of counselling seekers received legal counselling and 28 % approached the PCS exclusively for legal counselling. The proportion of people seeking legal advice ranged from 15 to 87 % between counselling centers. The most common topics during legal counselling were medical rehabilitation programs (57 %) and disability law (43 %). Counselling occurred in a single session in 68 % of cases and was mostly sought by older and unemployed persons with a recent diagnosis. Legal counselling made up 18 % of counselling time. Legal advice was mostly given by social workers (71 %). CONCLUSIONS: Legal counselling is a major part of psychosocial care services. Our results reveal large differences between counselling centers. Further research on quality of care and efficacy of legal counseling is needed.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cancer; Health services research; Legal counselling; Outpatient psychosocial cancer care; Psychosocial oncology
Authors: Susanne Singer; Julia Roick; Jürgen Meixensberger; Franziska Schiefke; Susanne Briest; Andreas Dietz; Kirsten Papsdorf; Joachim Mössner; Thomas Berg; Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg; Dietger Niederwieser; Annette Keller; Anette Kersting; Helge Danker Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-12-21 Impact factor: 3.603