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Fischl A, Gerken M, Roos P, Haedenkamp T, Hillberg A, Klinkhammer-Schalke M, Kölbl O, Linker R, Proescholdt M, Pukrop T, Riemenschneider MJ, Schmidt NO, Schön I, Vogelhuber M, Hau P, Bumes E. Does the distance to the cancer center affect psycho-oncological care and emergency visits of patients with IDH wild-type gliomas? A retrospective study. Neurooncol Pract 2023; 10:446-453. [PMID: 37720387 PMCID: PMC10502780 DOI: 10.1093/nop/npad023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Malignant isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type (IDHwt) gliomas impose a high symptomatic and psychological burden. Wide distances from patients' homes to cancer centers may affect the delivery of psycho-oncological care. Here, we investigated, in a large brain tumor center with a rural outreach, the initiation of psycho-oncological care depending on spatial distance and impact of psycho-oncological care on emergency visits. Methods Electronic patient charts, the regional tumor registry, and interviews with the primary care physicians were used to investigate clinical data, psycho-oncological care, and emergency unit visits. Interrelations with socio-demographic, clinical, and treatment aspects were investigated using univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression analysis and the Pearson's Chi-square test. Results Of 491, 229 adult patients of this retrospective cohort fulfilled the inclusion criteria for analysis. During the last three months of their lives, 48.9% received at least one psycho-oncological consultation, and 37.1% visited the emergency unit at least once. The distance from the cancer center did neither affect the initiation of psycho-oncological care nor the rate of emergency unit visits. Receiving psycho-oncological care did not correlate with the frequency of emergency unit visits in the last three months of life. Conclusion We conclude that the distance of IDHwt glioma patients' homes from their cancer center, even in a rural area, does not significantly influence the rate of psycho-oncological care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Fischl
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerken
- Center for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Philipp Roos
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tareq Haedenkamp
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Hillberg
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Monika Klinkhammer-Schalke
- Center for Quality Assurance and Health Services Research, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Kölbl
- Department of Radiotherapy, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Linker
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Proescholdt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Pukrop
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Nils Ole Schmidt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ingrid Schön
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martin Vogelhuber
- Department of Internal Medicine III, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Peter Hau
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Bumes
- Department of Neurology and Wilhelm Sander-NeuroOncology Unit, Regensburg University Hospital, Regensburg, Germany
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Ansmann L, Schult S, Sibert NT, Neupert I, Zimmermann T, Wesselmann S, Breidenbach C, Kowalski C. Incorporating psychosocial care into routine oncological care: insights into challenges and strategies from certified cancer centers' audit data. Psychooncology 2022; 31:1331-1339. [PMID: 35353412 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Provision of psychosocial care is obligatory in cancer centers certified in accordance with the criteria of the German Cancer Society, but the extent to which it is utilized differs greatly between centers. Anomalous utilization percentages are discussed during certification audits. This analysis aims to describe (1) how certified centers explain psychosocial care utilization percentages during audits and (2) the measures they then plan for improving psychosocial care utilization. The aim of the analysis is to help understand patterns of psychosocial care utilization in oncology and reduce potential disparities by describing the challenges that cancer centers face and their strategies for integrating psychosocial care into routine oncological care. METHODS The content of free-text comments regarding psychosocial utilization percentages by certified centers during certification audits in 2019 was analyzed. In total, 178 comments were analyzed from 116 prostate, colorectal, and breast cancer centers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and Luxembourg. RESULTS The explanations for utilization percentages most often mentioned involved patients' levels of interest and need, outpatient care, staff shortages, inclusion of psychosocial care in other processes in the center, documentation issues, and factors regarding different legal regulations in countries outside Germany. The measures most often planned for improving psychosocial care utilization involved adjusting work processes, increasing staff resources, optimizing documentation, and establishing quality-assurance groups/task forces. CONCLUSION This exploratory analysis shows that the challenges and strategies involved in incorporating psychosocial care into routine oncological care are diverse. Further research should identify process-level strategies that can promote the integration of psychosocial care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Ansmann
- Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sarah Schult
- German Cancer Society, Kuno-Fischer-Straße 8, 14057, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nora Tabea Sibert
- German Cancer Society, Kuno-Fischer-Straße 8, 14057, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingo Neupert
- Hochschule RheinMain I Fachbereich Sozialwesen, Wiesbaden Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Soziale Arbeit in der Onkologie (ASO), Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Zimmermann
- Hannover Medical School, Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Psychoonkologie in der Deutschen Krebsgesellschaft e. V. (PSO), Hannover, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Simone Wesselmann
- German Cancer Society, Kuno-Fischer-Straße 8, 14057, Berlin, Germany
| | - Clara Breidenbach
- German Cancer Society, Kuno-Fischer-Straße 8, 14057, Berlin, Germany
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Pedrosa Carrasco AJ, Koch M, Machacek T, Genz A, Herzog S, Riera Knorrenschild J, von Blanckenburg P, Seifart C. ' It was like taking an inner bath': A qualitative evaluation of a collaborative advance care planning-approach. Palliat Med 2021; 35:1897-1907. [PMID: 34479460 PMCID: PMC8637376 DOI: 10.1177/02692163211043209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired readiness may hinder purposeful advance care planning in cancer patients. To reduce barriers to participation in end-of-life decision-making, a collaborative intervention was developed combining a psycho-oncological approach of dignity-based and cognitive-behavioural interventions, followed by a standardised advance care planning-process. AIM To evaluate the novel collaborative advance care planning-approach by synthetising cancer patient and carer perspectives on communicational and relational effects. DESIGN As a sub-project of a mixed-methods evaluation study, we conducted an inductive content analysis of qualitative interviews with advanced cancer patients and caregivers to deeply explore the focused impact of a collaborative advance care planning-approach on communication and relationship dynamics. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS Twelve patients with advanced cancer and 13 carers who participated in a collaborative advance care planning-intervention. RESULTS The collaborative advance care planning-approach was consistently evaluated positively by participants. Transcriptions of the semi-structured interviews were coded, analysed and merged under three main themes concerning communicational and relationship dynamics: action readiness, content readiness and impact on future communication and relationship. CONCLUSIONS The novel intervention served to foster individual readiness - including action and content readiness - for advance care planning-discussions by addressing highly individualised barriers to participation, as well as specific end-of-life issues. In addition, societal readiness could be promoted. Although the brief psycho-oncological intervention could not fully meet the needs of all participants, it can be used to develop individual psychotherapeutic strategies to improve different facets of readiness. The collaborative advance care planning-approach might require more time and human resources, but could pioneer successful advance care planning.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Koch
- Study Group Ethics in Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.,Department of Medicine, Haematology Division, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | - Teresa Machacek
- Study Group Ethics in Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Anna Genz
- Study Group Ethics in Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Svenja Herzog
- Study Group Ethics in Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Jorge Riera Knorrenschild
- Department of Haematology, Oncology and Immunology, University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Pia von Blanckenburg
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Carola Seifart
- Study Group Ethics in Medicine, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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Predictors for the utilization of social service counseling by prostate cancer patients. Support Care Cancer 2021; 30:2327-2339. [PMID: 34738162 PMCID: PMC8568309 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-021-06620-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Social service counseling (SSC) is an important instrument to support cancer patients, for example, regarding legal support, or rehabilitation. Several countries have established on-site SSC in routine care. Previous analyses have shown that SSC utilization varies across cancer centers. This analysis investigates patient and center-level predictors that explain variations in SSC utilization between centers. METHODS Logistic multilevel analysis was performed with data from 19,865 prostate cancer patients from 102 prostate cancer centers in Germany and Switzerland. Data was collected within an observational study between July 2016 and June 2020 using survey (online and paper) and tumor documentation. RESULTS The intraclass correlation coefficient for the null model implies that 51% of variance in SSC utilization is attributable to the center a patient is treated in. Patients aged 80 years and older, with higher education, private insurance, without comorbidities, localized intermediate risk, and undergoing androgen deprivation therapy before study inclusion were less likely to utilize SSC. Undergoing primary radiotherapy, active surveillance, or watchful waiting as compared to prostatectomy was associated with a lower likelihood of SSC utilization. Significant negative predictors at the center level were university hospital, center's location in Switzerland, and a short period of certification. CONCLUSION The results show that patient and center characteristics contribute to explaining the variance in SSC utilization in prostate cancer centers to a large extent. The findings may indicate different organizational processes in the countries included and barriers in the sectoral structure of the healthcare system. In-depth analyses of processes within cancer centers may provide further insights into the reasons for variance in SSC utilization.
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Breidenbach C, Wesselmann S, Sibert NT, Ortmann O, Blankenburg K, Stoklossa C, Gebauer G, Dos Santos Guilherme M, Lindner C, Peschel S, Schad F, Strecker P, Rieger L, Ferencz J, Dieng S, Kowalski C. Use of social service counseling by cancer patients: an analysis of quality assurance data of 6339 breast cancer patients from 13 certified centers in Germany treated between 2015 and 2017. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:671. [PMID: 34090379 PMCID: PMC8180094 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08396-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Integrated social care may help to mitigate social risk factors in order to achieve more equitable health outcomes. In cancer centers certified according to the criteria set out by the German Cancer Society, every patient must be given low-threshold access to qualified social workers at the center for in-house social service counseling (SSC). Previous analyses have demonstrated large variation in the utilization of these services across individual centers. Therefore, this research aims at investigating whether SSC utilization varies regarding breast cancer patient characteristics and center characteristics presenting a unique approach of using routine data. Methods Multilevel modeling was performed using quality assurance data based on 6339 patients treated in 13 certified breast cancer centers in Germany in order to investigate whether SSC utilization varies with patient sex, age, and disease characteristics as well as over time and across centers. Results In the sample, 80.3% of the patients used SSC. SSC use varies substantially between centers for the unadjusted model (ICC = 0.24). Use was statistically significantly (P < .001) more likely in women, patients with invasive (in comparison to tumor in situ/ductal carcinoma in situ) diseases (P < .001), patients with both breasts affected (P = .03), patients who received a surgery (P < .001), patients who were diagnosed in 2015 or 2017 compared to 2016 (P < .001) and patients older than 84 years as compared to patients between 55 and 64 years old (P = .002). Conclusion The analysis approach allows a unique insight into the reality of cancer care. Sociodemographic and disease-related patient characteristics were identified to explain SSC use to some extent. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-08396-1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Olaf Ortmann
- Caritas-Krankenhaus St. Josef, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Katrin Blankenburg
- Deutsche Vereinigung für Soziale Arbeit im Gesundheitswesen e.V., Berlin, Germany
| | - Cindy Stoklossa
- Deutsche Vereinigung für Soziale Arbeit im Gesundheitswesen e.V., Berlin, Germany
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Breidenbach C, Roth R, Ansmann L, Wesselmann S, Dieng S, Carl EG, Feick G, Oesterle A, Bach P, Beyer B, Borowitz R, Erdmann J, Kunath F, Oostdam SJ, Tsaur I, Zengerling F, Kowalski C. Use of psycho-oncological services by prostate cancer patients: A multilevel analysis. Cancer Med 2020; 9:3680-3690. [PMID: 32233081 PMCID: PMC7286449 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.2999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cancer patients often suffer from psychological distress. Psycho‐oncological services (POS) have been established in some health care systems in order to address such issues. This study aims to identify patient and center characteristics that elucidate the use of POS by patients in prostate cancer centers (PCCs). Methods Center‐reported certification and patient survey data from 3094 patients in 44 certified PCCs in Germany were gathered in the observational study (Prostate Cancer Outcomes). A multilevel analysis was conducted. Results Model 1 showed that utilization of POS in PCCs is associated with patients’ age (OR = 0.98; 95%‐CI = 0.96‐0.99; P < .001), number of comorbidities (1‐2 vs 0, OR = 1.27; 95%‐CI = 1.00‐1.60; P=.048), disease staging (localized high‐risk vs localized intermediate risk, OR = 1.41; 95%‐CI = 1.14‐1.74; P < .001), receiving androgen deprivation therapy before study inclusion (OR = 0.19; 95%‐CI = 0.10‐0.34; P < .001), and hospital teaching status (university vs academic, OR = 0.09; 95%‐CI = 0.02‐0.55; P = .009). Model 2 additionally includes information on treatment after study inclusion and shows that after inclusion, patients who receive primary radiotherapy (OR = 0.05; 95%‐CI = 0.03‐0.10; P < .001) or undergo active surveillance/watchful waiting (OR = 0.06; 95%‐CI = 0.02‐0.15; P < .001) are less likely to utilize POS than patients who undergo radical prostatectomy. Disease staging (localized high‐risk vs localized intermediate risk, OR = 1.31; 95%‐CI = 1.05‐1.62; P = .02) and teaching status (university vs academic, OR = 0.08; 95%‐CI = 0.01‐0.65; P = .02) are also significant predictors for POS use. The second model did not identify any other significant patient characteristics. Conclusions Future research should explore the role of institutional teaching status and whether associations with therapy after study inclusion are due to treatment effects – for example, less need following radiotherapy – or because access to POS is more difficult for those receiving radiotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca Roth
- Institute of Medical Statistics and Computational Biology (IMSB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Koln, Germany
| | - Lena Ansmann
- Organizational Health Services Research, Department for Health Services Research, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Ernst-Günther Carl
- Federal Association of German Prostate Cancer Patient Support Groups, Bonn, Germany
| | - Günter Feick
- Federal Association of German Prostate Cancer Patient Support Groups, Bonn, Germany
| | | | | | - Burkhard Beyer
- Martini-Klinik Prostate Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Igor Tsaur
- University Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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