title: Development of practice guidelines for psychological interventions in the rehabilitation of patients with oncological disease (breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer): Methods and results.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this project was to develop evidence- and consensus-based practice guidelines for psychological interventions in the rehabilitation of patients with oncological disease (breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer).
  
  
  METHODS
  First of all, we conducted a literature search and survey of all oncological rehabilitation centers in Germany (N = 145) to obtain a thorough perspective of the recent evidence, guidelines, the structural framework, and practice of psychological services in oncological rehabilitation. Next, an expert workshop was held with national experts from scientific departments, clinicians from rehabilitation centers, and patients. In this workshop, we drafted and agreed upon an initial version of the practice guidelines. Afterwards, the practice guidelines were sent to all head physicians and senior psychologists at oncological rehabilitation centers in Germany for approval (N = 280 questionnaires). In addition, key recommendations were discussed with a group of rehabilitation patients. Finally, the practice guidelines were revised by the expert panel and made available online to the public.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The practice guidelines have been widely accepted by both the expert panel and the surveyed clinicians and patients. They include recommendations for psycho-oncological interventions that should be offered to all rehabilitation patients with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer. They also comprise recommendations for specific problem areas concerning psychological functions, body functions, and environmental and personal factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The practice guidelines provide detailed recommendations for high-quality psychosocial care in an oncological rehabilitation context. It is their aim to guide the multidisciplinary team, especially psychologists and physicians, in their daily practice.
authors.affiliation: Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Reese
authors.affiliation: Tumor Biology Center, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weis
authors.affiliation: Municipal Rehabilitation Center, Bad Waldsee, Germany.
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schmucker
authors.affiliation: Section of Health Care Research and Rehabilitation Research, Medical Center-University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Oskar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Mittag
mesh_terms: D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D012046:Rehabilitation / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer; oncology; practice guidelines; psychological interventions; rehabilitation