title: A cross-sectional study of radiation oncology outpatients' concern about, preferences for, and perceived barriers to discussing anxiety and depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Although elevated psychological distress is commonly reported among cancer patients, our understanding of patients' preferences for, and perceived barriers to, accessing psychological support from key cancer care providers is limited. The aim of this study was to assess cancer patients' level of concern about, and willingness to discuss, their anxiety and depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiation oncology outpatients completed a touchscreen computer survey with questions assessing their concern about and willingness to discuss anxiety and depression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among consenting respondents (n = 145), 51% (95% CI: 43%-59%) were concerned about their levels of anxiety, and 34% (95% CI: 26%-42%) about their levels of depression. If experiencing anxiety or depression, 92% (95% CI: 87%-96%) would want to discuss this with their general practitioner (GP), and 60% (95% CI: 52%-68%) with their cancer doctor. Almost half of the 58 respondents who would not want to discuss anxiety or depression with their cancer doctor indicated that this was because there were more important things to talk about during their appointment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy would be willing to discuss anxiety and depression with their cancer doctor and GP. These findings provide additional support for service delivery models in which GPs and oncologists play key roles in initiating and coordinating discussions about cancer patients' psychosocial concerns.
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Lisa J
authors: LJ
authors: Mackenzie
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Mariko
authors: M
authors: Carey
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Sanson-Fisher
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.|National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: D'Este
authors: School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, Australia.|Hunter New England Population Health, NSW Health, Newcastle, Australia.
authors: Sze Lin
authors: SL
authors: Yoong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D010045:Outpatients / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057240:Patient Preference / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult