A pilot study of routine screening for distress by a nurse and psychologist in an outpatient haematological oncology clinic

Musiello, Toni; Dixon, Glenys; O’Connor, Moira; Cook, Deb; Miller, Lisa; Petterson, Anna; Saunders, Christobel; Joske, David; Johnson, Claire E.

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2016.09.005

Cited by 17 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The rate of patient acceptance of referrals in the current study was 71%; similar to other Australian reports of 75% (Musiello et al., ) and 62% (Breen et al., ; Curry et al., ), although higher than the 20%–30% reported in international studies (Graves et al., ; Tuinman et al., ). Although engagement with services could be improved, our results suggest that referral acceptance was not influenced by sex, age or diagnosis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…In our study, 50.1% of patients indicated a clinically significant level of distress on the DT. This is higher than some other studies (c.f., 32% (Kendall, Glaze, Oakland, Hansen, & Parry, 2011), 40% (Musiello et al, 2017)), but almost identical to the rate reported in a recent study at another Melbourne hospital (51% (Lee et al, 2010)).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

“…Consequently, routine screening for supportive care need has been identified as a critical requirement of effective cancer services (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, ). Studies have established the feasibility of implementing the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem Checklist (PC) in haematology and oncology wards and outpatient departments in Australia (Carter et al., ; Lee, Katona, De Bono, & Lewis, ; Musiello et al., ; Ristevski et al., ; Thewes, Butow, & Stuart‐Harris & the Greater Southern Area Health Service Screening Collaborative Group, ) and internationally (Graves et al., ; Pruyn et al., ; Roth et al., ), with findings suggesting that staff and patients view screening as a positive addition to care.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Australian research has reported highly variable rates of referral offer: 91% (Curry, Cossich, Matthews, Beresford, & McLachlan, ), 59% (Musiello et al., ), 53% (Thewes et al., ) and 21% (Ristevski et al., ). A recent study of distress screening at a telephone cancer helpline found that only a minority of cancer survivors were referred to internal support services; at 19% (Linehan, Fennell, Hughes, & Wilson, ) (although referral to external support services was not recorded).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent study of distress screening at a telephone cancer helpline found that only a minority of cancer survivors were referred to internal support services; at 19% (Linehan, Fennell, Hughes, & Wilson, ) (although referral to external support services was not recorded). Studies have also found poor engagement with these services when they are offered, with reports of 25% (Musiello et al., ) and 38% (Breen, Ristevski, & Regan, ; Curry et al., ) of patients declining referrals. Although some of this variation may be attributable to differences in service accessibility between metropolitan and rural locations (Curry et al., ; Musiello et al., ; Ristevski et al., ; Thewes et al., ), there is a need to explore further the factors influencing the triaging process and service uptake for patients post‐screening.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors associated with referral offer and acceptance following supportive care problem identification in a comprehensive cancer service

et al. 2018

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To improve understanding of the triage process following distress and problem identification and the factors associated with offer and acceptance of supportive care referrals. Review of patient records/charts at a metropolitan hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Data were collected on problem identifications from 1/1/13 to 30/6/14, including patient demographics, disease and treatment information, responses to the NCCN Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem Checklist (PC), whether referrals to supportive care services were offered and accepted/declined. Logistic regressions examined factors associated with referral offer and acceptance. Of patients completing the DT/PC, 50.1% reported a high level of distress. Overall, 61% of patients were offered referral(s), with the majority (71%) being accepted. Referrals were more likely to be offered to patients with a greater number of problems (Odds Ratio[OR] = 1.18, 95%CI = 1.12-1.25) and higher distress (OR = 1.68, 95%CI = 1.07-2.64). Referrals were more likely to be accepted by patients with a greater number of problems (OR = 1.12, 95%CI = 1.06-1.19) and lower distress (OR = 0.58, 95%CI = 0.34-1.00). The type of problem experienced by the patient was strongly related to the type of referral they were offered. At a large metropolitan hospital with in-house supportive care services, simple problem identification with the DT/PC enabled triage to services that reflected patients' needs. The findings suggest that clear referral pathways and an organisational emphasis on supportive care may facilitate service use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Factors associated with referral offer and acceptance following supportive care problem identification in a comprehensive cancer service

et al. 2018

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The link between psychological distress and survival in solid tumor patients: A systematic review

et al. 2023

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Purpose Research has demonstrated that solid tumor patients experience high levels of psychological distress at the time of diagnosis. While distress has been associated with many adverse clinical outcomes, little is known about how this symptom may influence the disease trajectory for cancer patients, affecting outcomes such as progression, recurrence, and survival. The purpose of this systematic review was to explore the literature linking distress with survival in solid tumor patients, which may guide future work exploring clinical outcomes as a function of distress. Methods A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines with predefined eligibility criteria. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were selected for review. Results Findings from this review demonstrated a weak‐to‐moderate relationship between cancer patients' experience of distress and overall survival, with most included studies (11/13) finding at least one predictive analysis to be significant when controlling for confounders. However, significant heterogeneity in the literature, particularly with study sample characteristics and varying methodologies, made direct comparisons across studies challenging. Conclusion Findings from this review suggest that psychological distress may have an impact on disease‐related outcomes, including (but not limited to) survival. Future work should consider performing disease‐specific analyses controlling for key prognostic factors to better understand the nuanced relationship between distress and clinical outcomes, which may allow further understanding of the biological underpinnings of this relationship and enable the development of targeted interventions for improving distress.

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Common patient‐reported sources of cancer‐related distress in adults with cancer: A systematic review

Stevens,

Montgomery,

Miller

et al. 2024

Cancer Medicine

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BackgroundCancer‐related distress (CRD) is widely experienced by people with cancer and is associated with poor outcomes. CRD screening is a recommended practice; however, CRD remains under‐treated due to limited resources targeting unique sources (problems) contributing to CRD. Understanding which sources of CRD are most commonly reported will allow allocation of resources including equipping healthcare providers for intervention.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review to describe the frequency of patient‐reported sources of CRD and to identify relationships with CRD severity, demographics, and clinical characteristics. We included empirical studies that screened adults with cancer using the NCCN or similar problem list. Most and least common sources of CRD were identified using weighted proportions computed across studies. Relationships between sources of CRD and CRD severity, demographics, and clinical characteristics were summarized narratively.ResultsForty‐eight studies were included. The most frequent sources of CRD were worry (55%), fatigue (54%), fears (45%), sadness (44%), pain (41%), and sleep disturbance (40%). Having enough food (0%), substance abuse (3%), childbearing ability (5%), fevers (5%), and spiritual concerns (5%) were infrequently reported. Sources of CRD were related to CRD severity, sex, age, race, marital status, income, education, rurality, treatment type, cancer grade, performance status, and timing of screening.ConclusionsSources of CRD were most frequently emotional and physical, and resources should be targeted to these sources. Relationships between sources of CRD and demographic and clinical variables may suggest profiles of patient subgroups that share similar sources of CRD. Further investigation is necessary to direct intervention development and testing.

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A pilot study of routine screening for distress by a nurse and psychologist in an outpatient haematological oncology clinic

Cited by 17 publications

References 27 publications

Factors associated with referral offer and acceptance following supportive care problem identification in a comprehensive cancer service

Factors associated with referral offer and acceptance following supportive care problem identification in a comprehensive cancer service

The link between psychological distress and survival in solid tumor patients: A systematic review

Common patient‐reported sources of cancer‐related distress in adults with cancer: A systematic review

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