title: African American Patients' Psychosocial Support Needs and Barriers to Treatment: Patient Needs Assessment.
abstract: This study assessed adult patient's psychosocial support needs and treatment barriers in an urban diverse cancer center. A needs assessment was conducted with a convenience sample of adult oncology patients (n = 113; 71.7 % African American). Most patients were parenting school-age children and worried about them (96 %); 86.7 % would attend a family support program. Among patients who were married or partnered (68 %), 63.7 % were concerned about communication, coping, and emotional support; 53.9 % would attend a couple support program. Patients identified similar treatment barriers: transportation, babysitting for younger children, convenience of time/place, and refreshments. Findings suggest that behavioral health care providers should be available to screen cancer patients and improve access to appropriate psychosocial oncology support programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Couple and Family Therapy, Drexel University, 3-Parkway Building 1601 Cherry Street, Mail Stop 71042, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA. mpd29@drexel.edu.
authors.forename: Maureen P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Department of Couple and Family Therapy, Drexel University, 3-Parkway Building 1601 Cherry Street, Mail Stop 71042, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
authors.forename: Brianna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bilkins
authors.affiliation: Department of Couple and Family Therapy, Drexel University, 3-Parkway Building 1601 Cherry Street, Mail Stop 71042, Philadelphia, PA, 19102, USA.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diamond
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Alliric I
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Willis
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Edith P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Mitchell
authors.affiliation: Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davey
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Faith M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Couple and family based support programs; Needs assessment; Psychosocial oncology support