title: Disparities in psychosocial cancer care: a report from the International Federation of Psycho-oncology Societies.
abstract: The aim of the study was to understand the characteristics of the International Federation of Psycho-oncology Societies (FPOS) and possible disparities in providing psychosocial care in countries where psycho-oncology societies exist.
  
  
  
  A survey was conducted among 29 leaders of 28 countries represented within the FPOS by using a questionnaire covering (i) characteristics of the society; (ii) characteristics of the national health care system; (iii) level of implementation of psycho-oncology; and (iv) main problems of psycho-oncology in the country.
  
  
  
  Twenty-six (90%) FPOS returned the questionnaires. One-third reported to have links with and support from their government, while almost all had links with other scientific societies. The FPOS varied in their composition of members' professions. Psychosocial care provision was covered by state-funded health services in a minority of countries. Disparities between countries arose from different causes and were problematic in some parts of the world (eg, Africa and SE Asia). Elsewhere (eg, Southern Europe and Eastern Europe), austerity policies were reportedly responsible for resource shortages with negative consequences on psychosocial cancer care. Half of FPOS rated themselves to be integrated into mainstream provision of care, although lack of funding was the most common complain.
  
  
  
  The development and implementation of psycho-oncology is fragmented and undeveloped, particularly in some parts of the world. More effort is needed at national level by strong coalitions with oncology societies, better national research initiatives, cancer plans, and patient advocacy, as well as by stronger partnership with international organizations (eg, World Health Organization and Union for International Cancer Control).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Biomedical and Specialty Surgical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy. luigi.grassi@unife.it.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuropsychiatry and Palliative Care Center, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fujisawa
authors.affiliation: Faraja Cancer Support Trust and Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Odyio
authors.affiliation: Department of Counselling and Human Development Studies, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Chioma
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Asuzu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosocial and Rehabilitation Oncology, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and Department of Psychosocial Oncology, Daniel Family Leadership Chair in Psychosocial Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Barry
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bultz
authors.affiliation: Psycho-oncology Service, Clinical Center of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Luzia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Travado
authors.affiliation: Centre for Psycho-oncological Research and Training, School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fielding
mesh_terms: D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005060:Europe; D005061:Europe, Eastern; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D011591:Psychology, Medical; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012955:Societies, Medical
keywords: Federation Psycho-oncology Societies; cancer; disparities; oncology; psycho-oncology; psychosocial care