title: ReCAP: Would Women With Breast Cancer Prefer to Receive an Antidepressant for Anxiety or Depression From Their Oncologist?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient treatment preferences for the management of anxiety and depression influence adherence to treatment and treatment outcomes, yet the preferences of patients with breast cancer for provider-specific pharmacologic management of anxiety and depression is unknown. This study examined the antidepressant prescriber preferences of patients with breast cancer and their preferences for treatment by a mental health professional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with breast cancer (stages 0 to IV) were asked two questions: “Would you be willing to have your oncologist treat your depression or anxiety with an antidepressant medication if you were to become depressed or anxious at any point during your treatment?” and “Would you prefer to be treated by a psychiatrist or mental health professional for problems with either anxiety or depression?” In addition, the Distress Thermometer and Problem List, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Risky Families Questionnaire, and demographic information were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty-five participants completed the study. A total of 60.4% were willing to accept an antidepressant from an oncologist, and 26.3% preferred treatment by a mental health professional. The 77.3% who were willing to receive an antidepressant from their oncologist reported either no preference or that treatment by a mental health professional did not matter (P = .01). Participants taking antidepressants (P = .02) or reporting high chronic stress (P = .03) preferred a mental health professional.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of patients accepted antidepressant prescribing by their oncologist; only a minority preferred treatment by a mental health professional. These findings suggest that promoting education of oncologists to assess psychological symptoms and manage anxiety and depression as a routine part of an outpatient visit is beneficial
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL danielcurtismcfarland@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson Shen
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandeli
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiersten
authors.affiliation: Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jimmie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holland
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL danielcurtismcfarland@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: McFarland
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson Shen
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Kirk
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandeli
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tiersten
authors.affiliation: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital; Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; and Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Jimmie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holland
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D057240:Patient Preference; D010820:Physicians; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000928:Antidepressive Agents