Toni Musiello1, Glenys Dixon1, Moira O'Connor2, Deb Cook3, Lisa Miller4, Anna Petterson5, Christobel Saunders1, David Joske6, Claire Johnson7. 1. School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 2. School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia. 3. Department of Haematology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 5. SolarisCare, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 6. Department of Haematology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia; SolarisCare, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia. 7. School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia. Electronic address: Claire.johnson@uwa.edu.au.
Abstract
AIM: To explore the: 1) prevalence of distress, type of problems experienced by haematological patients, and referrals for supportive care; 2) effect of demographic and clinical variables on distress, and 3) effect on the time of health professionals conducting the screening in the ambulatory chemotherapy setting. METHODS: Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List and had a follow-up screening discussion with a health professional. RESULTS: Of 68 participants, 40% reported significant distress (≥4) on the Distress Thermometer (mean 3.2, SD 2.4). All patients reported physical problems and 72% reported emotional problems-the major contributors to distress and to time spent with the health professional. Distress was unrelated to age, gender or cancer type. Patients were less likely to have significant distress at the end of treatment than at the beginning (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.03; 0.72,). Forty patients (59%) were referred to supportive services. The psychologist spent less time with patients compared to the nurse (18 vs 48min, p<0.001). The more emotional problems reported, the greater the time spent with the patient (rs=0.34, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses can appropriately screen for distress and address significant distress reported by haematology patients undergoing chemotherapy without over burdening the nurse or patient.
AIM: To explore the: 1) prevalence of distress, type of problems experienced by haematological patients, and referrals for supportive care; 2) effect of demographic and clinical variables on distress, and 3) effect on the time of health professionals conducting the screening in the ambulatory chemotherapy setting. METHODS:Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List and had a follow-up screening discussion with a health professional. RESULTS: Of 68 participants, 40% reported significant distress (≥4) on the Distress Thermometer (mean 3.2, SD 2.4). All patients reported physical problems and 72% reported emotional problems-the major contributors to distress and to time spent with the health professional. Distress was unrelated to age, gender or cancer type. Patients were less likely to have significant distress at the end of treatment than at the beginning (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.03; 0.72,). Forty patients (59%) were referred to supportive services. The psychologist spent less time with patients compared to the nurse (18 vs 48min, p<0.001). The more emotional problems reported, the greater the time spent with the patient (rs=0.34, p=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Nurses can appropriately screen for distress and address significant distress reported by haematology patients undergoing chemotherapy without over burdening the nurse or patient.