Document Type
Presentation
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Publication Date
6-28-2024
Abstract
Chronic disease is a significant public health issue in the United States, with cancer being one of the most diagnosed and most expensive to treat. In cancer, distress is defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) as a “multifactorial unpleasant experience of a psychological, social, spiritual, and/or physical nature that may interfere with one’s ability to cope effectively with cancer, its physical symptoms, and its treatment.” Distress has been shown to negatively impact patient outcomes, yet the NCCN’s guidelines for screening and management are vague. This rapid review aimed to identify the best practices for implementing distress screening for cancer patients. A literature search of the databases PubMed and PsycINFO yielded 283 results, with 14 studies that examined the primary outcomes of screening and referral rates meeting the inclusion criteria. The majority of the studies were completed in the U.S. with a general population of cancer patients. The most used screening tool was NCCN’s Distress Thermometer. Referral cutoff score differed between studies, but this did not influence referral rates. Nurses were found to be vital in the screening and referral process. Screening rates were the highest when a specific screening schedule was established and followed. It was found that cancer centers and institutes had the highest screening rates, speaking to the idea that these larger settings may have more resources, personnel, and funding at their discretion to screen patients. The implications of this review can be used to inform clinical practice, in turn improving outcomes for cancer patients.
Lay Summary
Chronic disease is a major public health issue in the United States, with cancer being one of the most commonly diagnosed and most expensive to treat. It is estimated that more than two million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in 2024. Cancer patients frequently experience distress, which can negatively impact them both mentally and physically. Distress can range from common feelings like sadness and fear to more serious mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) sets the guidelines for screening and managing distress in the United States, but their guidelines are not specific and do not state when, where, how often, or by whom cancer patients should be screened for distress, or what tool they should be screened with. The purpose of this rapid review was to identify the best ways to identify cancer patients who might be distressed. The databases PubMed and PsycINFO were searched, which produced 283 results. The final sample consisted of 14 studies, and these studies examined distress screening rates and rates of referral for distress treatment. Most of the studies were completed in the U.S. with patients who had any type of cancer. The most commonly used screening tool was NCCN’s Distress Thermometer. Screening rates were the highest when any kind of specific screening schedule was in place and followed. It was found that cancer centers and institutes had the highest screening rates, implying that larger health care facilities may have more resources, staff, and money that help them screen patients. Lastly, the studies showed the importance of involving nurses in the screening and referral process. The findings of this review can be used to improve distress screening practices, which could in turn improve the mental and physical well-being of cancer patients.
Recommended Citation
Markley, Emma, "Best Practices for Implementing Distress Screening for Cancer Patients: A Rapid Review of the Literature" (2024). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 554.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/554
Language
English
Comments
Presentation: 4:05
Poster attached as supplemental file below