[Acceptance of hospital social work by gynecological oncology patients].
OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of hospital social work.


METHODS
We investigated in a retrospective study psycho-social implications of disease burden and acceptance of consultation by a social worker in 218 patients (responders [R]) with the five most frequent gynaecological malignancies. Similarly additional 55 oncological patients (non-responders [NR]) with an identical spectrum of malignancies, who had not been counselled by hospital social service, were also investigated using a standardised questionnaire.


RESULTS
The acceptance of consultation by hospital social service was high. 78% of responders considered it beneficial. These estimates were independent of socio-economic background, kind and stage of tumour, and prognosis. Initially 71% did not know about the existence of hospital social service. 82% of non-responders would have wanted a consultation retrospectively. Patients felt that every cancer-patient should be offered a consultation (96% [R]/93% [NR]). Emphasis in consultations was on medical rehabilitation and social law. Questions concerning coping-strategies and individual psycho-social burden followed in third position.


CONCLUSIONS
Majority of responders benefited subjectively and objectively from the psycho-social intervention. Vast information deficits were revealed in non-responders. Social work has an important, not substitutable function within the realm of hospital professions.
Bönninghaus-John
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S
Klinik und Poliklinik für Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde, Westfälischen Wilhelms-Universität Münster.
Jackisch
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C
Schneider
H P
HP
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires