title: [Outpatient psychosocial counseling--results of a user-based cross-sectional study about patient reported needs and its consideration].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article presents results of a user-based cross-sectional study about patient reported needs and its consideration in the course of outpatient psychosocial counseling. In addition, patient satisfaction with consultations was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 1 930 cancer patients or family caregivers who consulted one of 26 psychosocial counseling units funded by German Cancer Aid completed a questionnaire sent by mail.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Younger and female patients/care-givers, and those with ovarian, pancreatic and cns tumours were more likely to seek counseling. Overall, patient reported needs were met to a high degree. The majority of the participants was very satisfied with different aspects of counseling. However, 16% of participants reported unmet needs and had suggestions for improvements primarily with regard to the counselor (4% of the participants) and time management (2% of the participants). In addition, 10% of the participants suggested optimizing the counseling location and setting as well as the accessibility, time scheduling and the work approach of the staff (1-5%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings represent a part of the core evaluation of psychosocial counseling for cancer patients. Overall, it can be highlighted that cancer patients are very satisfied with outpatient psychosocial counseling offers. However, few critical aspects could be identified from the clients' perspective. Our results are discussed in the context of methodological aspects of the study.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Sektion Psychosoziale Onkologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Jochen
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ernst
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Sektion Psychosoziale Onkologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Svenja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eichhorn
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Sektion Psychosoziale Onkologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kuhnt
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Tumorbiologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.
authors.forename: Jürgen M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Giesler
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Tumorbiologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.
authors.forename: Melanie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schreib
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Sektion Psychosoziale Onkologie, Universität Leipzig.
authors.forename: Elmar
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Brähler
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Tumorbiologie, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D017028:Caregivers; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D010361:Patients; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult