Psychological distress and desire for professional support in gynecological cancer patients in an outpatient university setting

Abstract

Purpose Psychological distress affects many cancer patients; however, gynecological cancer patients face unique challenges. We therefore assessed the level of psychological distress and desire for psychosocial support as well as potential determinants of distress levels in 355 gynecological cancer outpatients.Methods Psychological distress was assessed by analyzing data from routine distress screening using the 10-item self-reporting Questionnaire on Stress in Cancer Patients – short form (QSC-R10). A question regarding their desire for psychosocial support was added. First time screenings completed from 11/2013 to 04/2018 were included (N = 355). We investigated prevalences regarding elevated distress and desire for support. Additionally, a multiple linear regression analysis regarding determinants of distress was calculated.Results At the time of data collection, 39.5% showed elevated levels of psychological distress. Overall, 9.9% indicated a desire for support. 7.1% of the patients with little or no distress indicated a desire for support, whereas 18.2% did so of patients with high distress. Younger age, shorter illness duration, a desire for support and progression of disease were significant determinants regarding elevated distress.Conclusion Regarding distress, particular attention needs to be payed to younger cancer patients, those with shorter illness duration or disease progression and patients expressing a subjective need for support. Distressed patients are more likely to express a desire for support; however, some objectively less distressed patients also indicated that desire. Future investigations should explore ways to improve psychosocial care offers for patients in need and focus on the discrepancy between normative and subjective needs for psychosocial support.