title: A psychosocial oncology program: perceptions of the telephone-triage assessment.
abstract: Cancer can be a significant source of distress for patients and family members, which led to the creation of psychosocial oncology (PSO) programs across Canada. To access the PSO program at this institution, individuals are first triaged over the telephone by a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) who also provides psychosocial support during the call. In our study, we explored the perceptions of cancer patients or family members about their psychosocial telephone-triage assessment conducted by a CNS for a PSO program.
  
  
  
  A qualitative descriptive design was used to explore the perceptions of nine cancer patients and family members triaged by the CNS for the PSO program. Audiotaped in-person interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed for themes and categories using a constant comparative method.
  
  
  
  Three major themes emerged: (1) Triage as a bridge to care, referred to the structure of telephone-triage and link to psychosocial services; (2) feeling a supportive presence, referred to the CNS' actions to foster a therapeutic relationship; and (3) different paths to tailored care, referred to the individualized strategies targeted to the participant's unique needs. As most participants described trusting the CNS, these three themes were found to emerge through a lens of trust.
  
  
  
  Overall, the telephone triage was able to address the concerns of many participants and provide individualized coping strategies and support. This study further demonstrates that psychosocial support can be provided during triage over the telephone.
authors: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada.
authors: France
authors: F
authors: Desrochers
authors: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada.
authors: Erin
authors: E
authors: Donivan
authors: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada.|Psychosocial Oncology Program, Cancer Care Mission, McGill University Health Centre, 1001 Décarie Boulevard, Montreal, QC, H4A 3J1, Canada.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Mehta
authors: Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, 3506 University St., Montreal, QC, H3A 2A7, Canada. andrea.laizner@muhc.mcgill.ca.|Nursing Practice Consultant-Research, Nursing Research Division, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal General Hospital, 1650 avenue Cedar, S2-214, Montreal, QC, H3G 1A4, Canada. andrea.laizner@muhc.mcgill.ca.
authors: Andréa Maria
authors: AM
authors: Laizner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013689:Telephone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Clinical nurse specialist; Distress; Nursing; Psychosocial oncology; Qualitative research; Telephone triage