Distress management: Clinical practice guidelines in oncology™

Jimmie C. Holland, Barbara Andersen, William S. Breitbart, Bruce Compas, Moreen M. Dudley, Stewart Fleishman, Caryl D. Fulcher, Donna B. Greenberg, Carl B. Greiner, George F. Handzo, Laura Hoofring, Paul B. Jacobsen, Sara J. Knight, Kate Learson, Michael H. Levy, Matthew J. Loscalzo, Sharon Manne, Randi McAllister-Black, Michelle B. Riba, Kristin RoperAlan D. Valentine, Lynne I. Wagner, Michael A. Zevon

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

166 Scopus citations

Abstract

Psychosocial care is increasingly being recognized as an integral component of clinical management for patients with cancer. These guidelines recommend that each new patient be rapidly assessed in the office or clinic waiting room for evidence of distress using the DT and Problem List as an initial rough screen (page 454).82 A score of 4 or greater on the DT should trigger further evaluation by the oncologist or nurse and referral to a psychosocial service, if necessary. The choice of psychological service depends on the problem areas specified on the Problem List. Patients with practical and psychosocial problems should be referred to social workers; those with emotional or psychological problems should be referred to mental health professionals, including social workers; and spiritual concerns should be referred to certified chaplains. The primary oncology team members (oncologist, nurse, and social worker) are central to making this model work. Team members look at the score on the DT and the items checked on the Problem List as the first stage of screening. The nurse will follow up with further questions as a second stage of screening. At least one team member must be familiar with the mental health, psychosocial, and chaplaincy services available in the institution and community. A list of the names and phone numbers for these resources should be kept in all oncology clinics and updated frequently. The standards of care should be revised and modified to be compatible with the clinical care offered at each institution. The medical staff and patients should be made aware of the resources available to treat distress and have access to mental health professionals and clergy who are trained to deal with cancer-related distress. The benefits of treating distress in cancer accrue to the patients, their families, and the treating staff, and improve efficiencies in clinic operations. Educating patients and families is equally important to encourage them to recognize that controlling distress is an integral part of cancer care.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)448-485
Number of pages38
JournalJNCCN Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
Volume8
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Distress
  • NCCN clinical practice guidelines
  • Psychiatric
  • Psychological
  • Psychosocial
  • Quality of life

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Distress management: Clinical practice guidelines in oncology™'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this