title: Screening for anxiety and depression in women with breast cancer. Psychiatry and medical oncology gear up for managed care.
abstract: In this study, 275 women with breast cancer attending ambulatory breast cancer clinics in two sites were evaluated for psychological distress by using three self-report instruments: a visual analogue scale for psychological distress, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results suggest that significant psychological distress exists in ambulatory women with breast cancer; all three instruments effectively measured that level of distress. Implications for the use of these instruments in educating oncological staff members, documenting need for psychiatric services in a period of capitation, and providing quality assurance evaluations of psychiatric services are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Theodoulou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dosik
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Massie
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000523:psychology; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008329:Managed Care Programs; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010555:Personality Inventory; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012803:Sick Role