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Psychosocial health care needs assessment of adult cancer patients: a consensus-based guideline

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Abstract

Purpose

Although recommended as an essential part of cancer care, there is limited evidence regarding the optimum approach to psychosocial health care needs assessment in this setting. To address this gap, the Cancer Journey Action Group of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) and the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology (CAPO) partnered to develop consensus-based recommendations regarding the routine assessment of psychosocial and supportive care needs. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the evidence that informed the guideline and disseminate the recommendations developed by the expert panel.

Methods

Clinical practice recommendations were developed by a panel comprised of psychosocial and interdisciplinary experts. Recommendations were informed by a review of oncology clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, and primary research, through to May 2008. Following expert consensus on the recommendations, the clinical practice guideline was externally reviewed by a purposively selected sample of national and international interdisciplinary experts.

Results

A total of nine clinical practice guidelines, three systematic reviews, and 14 primary studies were included in the review. Overall, this body of literature suggested that routine collection of psychosocial health care data has an influence on communication with oncologists and other study specific outcomes, but the evidence was limited by heterogeneity and methodological limitations. Based on the interpretation of this body of evidence by clinical experts, research methodologists, and external reviewers, 12 substantive recommendations were developed regarding the process and parameters of psychosocial needs assessment in adult cancer patients.

Conclusion

Given the limitations in the current body of evidence, there remains a need for rigorous empirical research regarding the optimal approach to psychosocial needs assessment, including the specific characteristics that influence effectiveness on patient outcomes. This guideline fills an important gap in psychosocial care, regarding the routine assessment of psychosocial health care needs.

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Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Health Canada and the BC Cancer Foundation for supporting an initial review of psychosocial guidelines; Mary Johnson, Carol Digout, and Patricia Oakley for their technical expertise and contributions to this project; Margaret B. Harrison, RN, PhD, and Joan van den Hoek for their consultation regarding the ADAPTE process; Fay Bennie for administrative support; and the expert clinicians and other stakeholders who provided valuable feedback prior to the finalization of the guideline.

Research Support

Production of this guideline has been made possible through a financial contribution from Health Canada, through the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest

All authors and expert panel members completed a disclosure declaration regarding any conflicts of interest and none indicated a financial interest or conflict of interest due to any other reason.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University Health Network (Princess Margaret Hospital), Toronto, ON, Canada

    D. Howell & S. Mayo

  2. Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    D. Howell

  3. Canmore, AB, Canada

    S. Currie

  4. Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

    G. Jones

  5. Peel Regional Oncology Program, Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga, ON, Canada

    G. Jones

  6. Interlock Employee Assistance/BC Cancer Agency, Victoria, BC, Canada

    M. Boyle

  7. Faculty of Nursing, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    T. Hack

  8. Cancer Care Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    T. Hack

  9. Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, ON, Canada

    E. Green

  10. McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada

    L. Hoffman

  11. Royal Victoria Hospital/McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada

    L. Hoffman

  12. Alberta Health Services Cancer Care, Edmonton, AB, Canada

    V. Collacutt

  13. QEII Cancer Care Program, Halifax, NS, Canada

    D. McLeod

  14. Halifax, NS, Canada

    J. Simpson

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  1. D. Howell
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  2. S. Mayo
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  3. S. Currie
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  4. G. Jones
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  7. E. Green
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  8. L. Hoffman
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to D. Howell.

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Disclaimer

The views expressed herein represent the views of the National Guideline Expert Panel, a sub-group of the Standards, Guidelines and Indicators Working Group of The Cancer Journey Action Group, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Care has been taken in the preparation of the information contained in this document. Nonetheless, any person seeking to apply or consult the practice guideline is expected to use independent clinical judgment in the context of individual clinical circumstances or seek out the supervision of a qualified clinician. The Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology makes no representation or warranties of any kind whatsoever regarding their content or use or application and disclaims any responsibility for their application or use in any way.

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Howell, D., Mayo, S., Currie, S. et al. Psychosocial health care needs assessment of adult cancer patients: a consensus-based guideline. Support Care Cancer 20, 3343–3354 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-012-1468-x

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