title: Evaluating the Impact of Provincial Implementation of Screening for Distress on Quality of Life, Symptom Reports, and Psychosocial Well-Being in Patients With Cancer.
abstract: Although a number of accreditation agencies and professional societies recommend routine screening for distress (SFD) for patients with cancer, it has been integrated very slowly into clinical practice.
  
  
  
  This evaluation investigated the impact of a large-scale SFD intervention on patients' quality of life, symptom reports, and psychosocial well-being. The SFD intervention involved (1) completion of the SFD tool by patients, (2) discussion between patient and provider about the concerns indicated, and (3) provision of appropriate assessments/interventions based on priority concerns.
  
  
  
  This quality improvement work included a pre-evaluation and postevaluation of the impact of implementation on patients' well-being. Patients in cohort 1 (N=740) were surveyed before implementation, whereas patients in cohort 2 (N=534) were surveyed 10 months after the implementation at 17 clinics province-wide. As part of the implementation, providers received training on assessing and responding to patient priority concerns with the standardized tool.
  
  
  
  No differences were seen in total score of quality of life between the cohorts. Fewer patients in cohort 2 than in cohort 1 reported health problems, including tiredness, drowsiness, poor appetite, nausea, anxiety, and poor well-being. Similarly, significantly fewer patients in cohort 2 endorsed problems relating to emotional, practical, informational, spiritual, social, and physical aspects of well-being.
  
  
  
  Results showed significantly improved psychological and physical symptoms and psychosocial well-being after routine SFD was implemented, suggesting that a large-scale SFD intervention is beneficial for patients when it is integrated into existing clinical practice and community resources.
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Watson
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Shannon
authors: S
authors: Groff
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Rie
authors: R
authors: Tamagawa
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Jennifer
authors: J
authors: Looyis
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Sydney
authors: S
authors: Farkas
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Brent
authors: B
authors: Schaitel
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: DeIure
authors: CancerControl Alberta, Alberta Health Services, Alberta
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Faris
authors: Department of Psychosocial Resources, Tom Baker Cancer Center, Calgary|Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
authors: Barry D
authors: BD
authors: Bultz
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology*