Effects of integrated psychosocial care for distress in cancer patients

Abstract

Background: Despite some clinical guidelines for incorporating integrated psychosocial care (combining psychological screening and psychological intervention, including adequate collaboration with mental health specialists) into routine oncology practice, definitive empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of such care remains unavailable. Here the findings of recent experimental studies are reviewed to provide guidance regarding this issue. Methods: Comparative studies examining integrated psychosocial care were reviewed. Results: Studies examining interventions that include both screening and psychological care have produced contradictory results regarding effectiveness, but all the studies that have examined the effect of psychological care after the identification of distress using systematic screening have shown positive results. Conclusions: Integrated psychosocial care may affect patients with significant distress, but the adequacy of introducing such care into routine oncology practice remains debatable. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.