Psychosocial problems secondary to cancer: an Italian multicentre survey of consultation-liaison psychiatry in oncology. Italian Consultation-Liaison Group.
Data relative to consultation-liaison psychiatry (C-L) in oncology are lacking. In order to examine this area, a multicentre investigation was conducted in 17 general hospitals in Italy. All psychiatric consultation requests for cancer patients referred to C-L during a 1-year period were evaluated. Only 5% (n=217 referred patients: 114 men and 103 women) of all C-L activity were for cancer patients. Most were 'routine' consultations (72%) for current psychiatric symptoms (69%) or coping/compliance problems (12%). Previous psychological or psychiatric disorders were shown in 32% of cases. Approximately 40% of patients were not informed of their referral to C-L. The most frequent ICD-10 psychiatric diagnoses were adjustment disorders (27%) and major affective disorders (23%). Transfer to psychiatric units was low (1%). These findings indicate the need for improvement of referral criteria to C-L and closer attention to continuity of psychosocial care of cancer patients during hospitalisation and post-discharge.
Grassi
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L
Dipartimento Discipline Comunicazione e Comportamento, Sezione di Psichiatria, Universitá di Ferrara, Corso Giovecca 203, 44100, Ferrara, Italy. l.grassi@dns.unife.it
Gritti
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Rigatelli
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Gala
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012017:Referral and Consultation