Abstract 1431P
Background
Receiving a diagnosis of cancer may be associated with increased psychosocial distress. Without objective assessments, healthcare professionals tend to underestimate psychological distress, and fail in the recognition, triage and referral of distressed patients. The specific aim is study the improvement in screening by adding a psychological first evaluation.
Methods
A descriptive prospective design has been used to analyze the data of distress thermometer (DT) in initial visits in the cancer unit comparing to the DT o plus psychological evaluation. Data collection was conducted over a six month period. The variables studied were: age, sex, type of tumor, intensity and causes of distress and need for psychological treatment.
Results
139 patients answered the DT screening tool. On average, the participants were 59.4 years old and 54% of them were female. The most frequent diagnoses reported were breast cancer (27%), colorectal cancer (18%) and lung cancer (16.5%). 42 % rated over the cut point of DT (>4). When we used only the DT screening tool (n = 83) 54% with emotional distress dismiss psycho-oncology attention. After including a first consultation with the psycho-oncologist to the DT screening tool (n = 56) only the 23% of patients refused to undergo psychological treatment.
Conclusions
Although the Distress Thermometer is a good screening tool to emotional distress in cancer patients, it does not guarantee adequate psychological attention for recently diagnosed cancer patients. It seems to be important refer patients to the psychologist to improve their attention and treat emotional aspects that can affect their quality of life.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
SAAS.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.