[Interdisciplinary psychoeducational intervention by oncologists proved helpful for cancer patients].
OBJECTIVE
We prospectively evaluated the effects of a six-session psychoeducational intervention held by medical doctors or psychologists in a German acute cancer center setting.


METHODS
A cluster randomization was used to assign n=108 oncologic patients (55 female, 53 male; mean age=58.5) to the intervention or the control group. The self-rated amount of information about cancer-specific topics, quality of life (EORTC), coping (TSK) and anxiety and depression (HAD-S) were measured at the beginning of the intervention (t0) as well as two and four months later (t1).


RESULTS
At t1 the level of information related to different aspects of cancer (p<0.01) and "emotional functioning" (EORTC; p<0.05) were clearly improved in the intervention vs. the control group. At t2 intervention group patients again showed an increased level of information (p<0.05) and more emotional stability (p<0.05). In addition, reduced rumination was seen in patients of the intervention but not the control group (TSK; p=0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides evidence that even short interdisciplinary psychoeducational interventions can at least improve the level of cancer-related information while hardly denting the budget of any healthcare system.
Gündel
Harald
H
Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin, Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, TU München, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Langerstr. 3, 81675 München, Germany. H.Guendel@lrz.tu-muenchen.de
Lordick
Florian
F
Brandl
Tobias
T
Würschmidt
Florian
F
Schüssler
Jutta
J
Leps
Birgit
B
Sendler
Andreas
A
Mert
Erdal
E
Pouget-Schors
Doris
D
Von Schilling
Christoph
C
Peschel
Christian
C
Sellschopp
Almuth
A
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012803:Sick Role
Psychoedukative Patientengruppen im Rahmen einer interdisziplinären Tumortherapie.