title: Psychosocial support in patients with multiple myeloma at time of diagnosis: who wants what?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine interest in psychosocial interventions among patients with multiple myeloma at time of diagnosis as well as associated factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were recruited from our outpatient myeloma unit at the Heidelberg University Hospital. Patients completed questionnaires that included a checklist on desired psychosocial interventions and the Patient Health Questionnaire 9-item (PHQ-9) depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7) anxiety scales. Medical data were extracted from the patients' electronic records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey was completed by 114 out of the 130 myeloma patients. Half of the patients (51%) desired psychosocial interventions. The most common preferences were relaxation techniques (21%), psychological counseling (20%), and peer support groups (18%). Approximately 24% of the patients reported symptoms of depression, and 8% reported symptoms of anxiety. Patients with symptoms of depression had twice as many preferences for psychosocial interventions as nondepressed patients. They more frequently desired individual psychotherapy (p = 0.035) and peer support groups (p = 0.015). In general, lower age was associated with greater interest in psychosocial interventions. Medical status was not strongly associated with interest in psychosocial interventions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high percentage (51%) of patients with multiple myeloma has psychosocial intervention desires at the time of diagnosis. The greatest interest was found in depressed and younger patients. However, depressed patients do not prefer a single intervention form but rather show a broad variability of wishes, so 'one size does not fit all'. Therefore, to reach all patients in need, a choice of psychosocial interventions should be offered.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jette
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lamers
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mechthild
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.|National Centre for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Hartmut
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Goldschmidt
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brechtel
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillengass
authors.affiliation: Department of General Internal Medicine and Psychosomatics, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Herzog
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003376:Counseling; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008605:Mental Health Services; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000523:psychology*; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: cancer; multiple myeloma; oncology; psychosocial care; treatment preferences