title: A pilot study of routine screening for distress by a nurse and psychologist in an outpatient haematological oncology clinic.
abstract: To explore the: 1) prevalence of distress, type of problems experienced by haematological patients, and referrals for supportive care; 2) effect of demographic and clinical variables on distress, and 3) effect on the time of health professionals conducting the screening in the ambulatory chemotherapy setting.
  
  
  
  Participants completed the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List and had a follow-up screening discussion with a health professional.
  
  
  
  Of 68 participants, 40% reported significant distress (≥4) on the Distress Thermometer (mean 3.2, SD 2.4). All patients reported physical problems and 72% reported emotional problems-the major contributors to distress and to time spent with the health professional. Distress was unrelated to age, gender or cancer type. Patients were less likely to have significant distress at the end of treatment than at the beginning (OR=0.15, 95% CI: 0.03; 0.72,). Forty patients (59%) were referred to supportive services. The psychologist spent less time with patients compared to the nurse (18 vs 48min, p<0.001). The more emotional problems reported, the greater the time spent with the patient (rs=0.34, p=0.009).
  
  
  
  Nurses can appropriately screen for distress and address significant distress reported by haematology patients undergoing chemotherapy without over burdening the nurse or patient.
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Musiello
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Glenys
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Kent St, Bentley, Western Australia 6102, Australia.
authors.forename: Moira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Deb
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: SolarisCare, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petterson
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: Christobel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Saunders
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia; SolarisCare, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, 1 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Joske
authors.affiliation: School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia. Electronic address: Claire.johnson@uwa.edu.au.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011613:Psychotherapy; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Distress; Distress thermometer; Haematological cancer; Nursing; Supportive care