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Addressing psychosocial needs of partners of breast cancer patients: a pilot program using social workers to improve communication and psychosocial support

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Abstract

Introduction

Psychosocial (PsySoc) distress in caregivers is a well-described entity, with some caregivers experiencing more distress than patients themselves. The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer mandates that psychosocial services be provided to all cancer patients and their caregivers, through the entire continuum of cancer care.

Methods

We developed a program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their partners. Both were screened for biopsychosocial stressors. The couple was then paired with two clinican-educators trained in communication and gender differences, who educated the couple in communication-based problem solving and provided referrals to supportive services.

Results

Eighty-six patients and 82 partners returned surveys. Compared to partners, patients were more likely to report feeling anxious or fearful (59 vs. 38 %, p = 0.014), report difficulty in managing their emotions (46 vs. 11 %, p = 0.003), and experience distress over being unable to take care of themselves (37 vs. 6 %, p = 0.000). Interestingly, there was no difference between patients and partners in feeling unsupported by their partner (6 vs. 5 %, p = 0.85) or in feeling down or depressed (29 vs. 30 %, p = 0.96).

Discussion

Both patients and partners experience significant distress after a breast cancer diagnosis. We found that partners are equally likely to feel unsupported by their partner (patient) and feel down or depressed. Further study is needed to learn about both patients’ and partners’ significant distress over lack of support. Partner-focused PsySoc interventions should be initiated in all cancer centers to address the emotional needs of both breast cancer patients and their partners.

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Conflict of interest

SupportScreen® was created at City of Hope. Matthew Loscalzo and Karen Clark (collaborating investigators), and the City of Hope helped to develop this new method of data collection as part of clinical care and are paid a licensing fee by other institutions that use it. Laura Kruper, MD, is a speaker for Genomic Health. All other authors have no disclosures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of General Oncologic Surgery, City of Hope National Medical Center, 1500 East Duarte Rd., Duarte, CA, 91010-8113, USA

    Rondi Kauffmann, Laura Kruper & Courtney Vito

  2. Department of Social Services, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA

    Karen Clark & Matthew Loscalzo

  3. Department of Supporive Care, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA

    Courtney Bitz

Authors
  1. Rondi Kauffmann
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  2. Courtney Bitz
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  3. Karen Clark
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  4. Matthew Loscalzo
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  5. Laura Kruper
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  6. Courtney Vito
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Courtney Vito.

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Kauffmann, R., Bitz, C., Clark, K. et al. Addressing psychosocial needs of partners of breast cancer patients: a pilot program using social workers to improve communication and psychosocial support. Support Care Cancer 24, 61–65 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2721-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2721-x

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