Julie M Deleemans1,2,3, Kerry Mothersill4, Barry D Bultz5,6, Fiona Schulte7,5,4. 1. Division of Medical Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Julie.deleemans@ucalgary.ca. 2. Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Julie.deleemans@ucalgary.ca. 3. Psychosocial Oncology Department, Holy Cross Hospital, 2210 2 Street SW, Calgary, AB, T2S 3C3, Canada. Julie.deleemans@ucalgary.ca. 4. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 5. Division of Psychosocial Oncology, Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 6. Department of Psychiatry, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. 7. Division of Medical Science, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and survivors are a particularly vulnerable group with disproportionately high levels of psychosocial distress. Untreated psychosocial distress among HNC patients has consistently been associated with poorer health and psychosocial outcomes. Screening for distress (SFD) allows health care providers to identify and monitor patient's distress, and when needed, to subsequently provide appropriate psychosocial supports that aim to reduce suffering and improve patients' overall well-being. However, despite mounting evidence for the benefits of SFD some oncology centers continue to neglect SFD in HNC patients and survivors, thereby depriving these patients of the opportunity to have their unmet psychosocial needs appropriately addressed. The present paper reviews SFD literature and explores ethical considerations in screening HNC patients and for distress. CONCLUSIONS: Screening HNC patients for distress and facilitating the alleviation of suffering are important steps in providing ethical care. HNC oncology administrators, surgical departments, and clinicians are urged to consider the implementation of SFD for HNC patients and to take the necessary steps in implementing SFD practices and psychosocial care.
RATIONALE: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients and survivors are a particularly vulnerable group with disproportionately high levels of psychosocial distress. Untreated psychosocial distress among HNC patients has consistently been associated with poorer health and psychosocial outcomes. Screening for distress (SFD) allows health care providers to identify and monitor patient's distress, and when needed, to subsequently provide appropriate psychosocial supports that aim to reduce suffering and improve patients' overall well-being. However, despite mounting evidence for the benefits of SFD some oncology centers continue to neglect SFD in HNC patients and survivors, thereby depriving these patients of the opportunity to have their unmet psychosocial needs appropriately addressed. The present paper reviews SFD literature and explores ethical considerations in screening HNC patients and for distress. CONCLUSIONS: Screening HNC patients for distress and facilitating the alleviation of suffering are important steps in providing ethical care. HNC oncology administrators, surgical departments, and clinicians are urged to consider the implementation of SFD for HNC patients and to take the necessary steps in implementing SFD practices and psychosocial care.
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Authors: S Duman-Lubberding; C F van Uden-Kraan; F Jansen; B I Witte; S E J Eerenstein; S van Weert; R de Bree; C R Leemans; I M Verdonck-de Leeuw Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2017-07-12 Impact factor: 3.603
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Authors: Melissa Henry; Justine G Albert; Saul Frenkiel; Michael Hier; Anthony Zeitouni; Karen Kost; Alex Mlynarek; Martin Black; Christina MacDonald; Keith Richardson; Marco Mascarella; Gregoire B Morand; Gabrielle Chartier; Nader Sadeghi; Christopher Lo; Zeev Rosberger Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2022-03-24