Abstract
Background/Aims Community cancer centers are faced with the task of providing multidisciplinary care to their patients in an environment that is challenged for resources, time and reimbursement. Among other patient care factors, psychosocial care has become one such area of concern. The ability to rapidly identify a patient with psychosocial issues can help facilitate providing that care in an expedient and cost-effective manner. The purpose of the study was to develop a profile of a breast cancer patient exhibiting distress.
Methods The study followed a cross-sectional, correlational design. Patients with breast cancer of any stage in the early phase of their treatment and who had completed the Distress Thermometer (DT) assessment as part of their routine care were consented for additional data collection. The study was conducted at a community cancer center in rural Georgia, and a total of 85 patients participated.
Results The study identified 42% (36 of 85) of participants with mild distress, 31% (26 of 85) with moderate distress, and 27% (23 of 85) with severe distress. Approximately 42% (36 of 85) self-identified as African-American, and all were non-Hispanic, which mirrors the regional population where the study was conducted. All participants were female with an average age of 61. Those with a severe DT score indicated their top five sources of distress as Worry, Sadness, Nervousness, Fears and Treatment Decisions. This contrasts with those with a Mild DT score, who indicated Sleep, Treatment Decisions, Nervousness, Fatigue and Finances as sources of distress. The common factor of Treatment Decisions between these groups demonstrates that a greater ratio of patients with a severe DT score was receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation than those with mild DT score. Not surprisingly, those with a mild DT score were more likely to have an earlier stage cancer, although the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions Participants demonstrated factors that may point to a profile of a patient at risk for severe distress, including other psychosocial expressions, treatment plan, and stage of cancer. The study is limited by location at a single cancer center and other factors.
