Emotional SUPPORT
All cancer patients will experience distress at some point in their treatment – whether that be emotional, financial or physical suffering. Research has shown that distress in patients with cancer leads to decreased quality of life and can even negatively impact survival.
According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network( NCCN) guidelines: All patients should be evaluated for distress during their initial visit, at appropriate intervals, and as clinically indicated, especially with changes in disease status( i. e. remission, recurrence, progression, treatment-related complications).
At Renown Institute for Cancer, patients receive distress evaluations at pivotal points during their cancer care.
Regularly administered psychosocial distress screenings are provided during:
• The first visit with their medical oncologist at Renown Medical Group – Oncology.
• The first visit for chemotherapy treatment at Infusion Services.
• Immediately following the simulation procedure appointment or following the first radiation treatment received at Renown Radiation Therapy.
• Transitions from different treatment modalities, such as upon remission, recurrence, progression, during treatment related complications, survivorship or at any time when the medical team deems necessary.
Jocelyn Mata, LSW, NSW Oncology Outpatient Social Worker
Early intervention for identified reasons for distress leads to improved medical management.
Therefore, if patients have scores of six or higher on the distress evaluation scale of 10, our staff members must obtain additional information from the patient. Some distress is normal with cancer but there are certain signs that manifest when patient distress lever is too high and needs additional interventions. At that point, the patient is referred to a cancer outpatient social worker for further assessment. The social worker then conducts an assessment and provides appropriate resources and referrals pertaining to the type of distress the patient is experiencing.
While new patients tend to have higher scores of distress than established patients, our team is able to provide resources and referrals to those who may be in distress due to their cancer diagnosis.
Renown administered a total of 400 distress screenings for 2016. Of the distress screenings administered to date in 2016, the top three distress problems identified by patients include insurance or financial stress, emotional and physical problems.
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