Support service use and interest in support services among lung cancer patients

Abstract Objectives This study examined support service use and interest in support services among lung cancer patients ( N = 165) at two comprehensive medical centers in the midwestern United States. Materials and methods Patients completed an assessment of support service use (i.e., receipt of men...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Lung cancer (Amsterdam, Netherlands) Netherlands), 2013-10, Vol.82 (1), p.162-167
Main Authors: Mosher, Catherine E, Hanna, Nasser, Jalal, Shadia I, Fakiris, Achilles J, Einhorn, Lawrence H, Birdas, Thomas J, Kesler, Kenneth A, Champion, Victoria L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Adult and adolescent clinical studies
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anxiety - etiology
Biological and medical sciences
Complementary therapies
Depression - etiology
Female
Hematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine
Humans
Lung neoplasms
Lung Neoplasms - psychology
Male
Medical sciences
Mental health services
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Multiple tumors. Solid tumors. Tumors in childhood (general aspects)
Pneumology
Psychological distress
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Pulmonary/Respiratory
Religion
Self-Help Groups - statistics & numerical data
Spiritual therapies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tumors
Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum
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Summary:Abstract Objectives This study examined support service use and interest in support services among lung cancer patients ( N = 165) at two comprehensive medical centers in the midwestern United States. Materials and methods Patients completed an assessment of support service use (i.e., receipt of mental health services, complementary and alternative medicine [CAM], and help from a spiritual leader), interest in support services, and physical and psychological symptoms. Results Only 40% of patients with significant anxiety and depressive symptoms and 28% of the entire sample reported current mental health service use. However, nearly half (47%) of all patients were receiving support from a spiritual leader. Having late-stage lung cancer and a religious affiliation predicted receipt of spiritual support. Few patients who were not receiving mental health services or spiritual support were interested in these services (range = 4–18%). Conversely, although interest in CAM was expressed by a substantial minority of patients (27%) who were not using these services, rates of CAM use were relatively low (22%). Conclusions Findings suggest that distressed lung cancer patients underuse mental health services, but many patients receive help from spiritual leaders. Given the lack of interest in mental health services among patients who are not receiving them, efforts are needed to enhance palatability of services and identify and reduce barriers to evidence-based service use.
ISSN:0169-5002
1872-8332
DOI:10.1016/j.lungcan.2013.06.020