Investigators
Ms Lynda Katona
Ms Sue de Bono
Mr Stuart Lee
Mr Anthony de Castella
Background
This project is funded by SMICS (Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Services). It involves bedside screening with 2 self-report questionnaires looking at:
- overall distress and associated practical, emotional and physical problems and
- subjective intensity of anxiety, depression and somatic distress.
Patients identified as reporting significant distress or psychological problems are referred for psychosocial follow up (i.e. psychology, social work, cancer support nurses, grief counseling).
Current Status
To date we have screened around 94 people. Of these, approximately 30 individuals have also undergone repeat screening between 2-5 weeks after their initial screen. Approximately 50% of screened patients have been flagged for follow up, with newly diagnosed and relapsed patients reporting highest levels of distress, anxiety and depression, and patients undergoing palliative (but not end stages) treatment reporting highest levels of somatic problems.
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