Characterization of a Referral to Psycho-Oncology Liaison Consults in a General Hospital

Abstract

Introduction

Liaison psychiatry is based on a practice that lies on the interface between psychological, sociological and biological factors of illness. Cancer is a devastating disease. For many patients the occurrence of it is synonymous of chronic, severe or lethal outcome. It is important for health professionals to be aware of the psychological suffering of these patients and promote a proper use of specialized consultations in order to increase and improve adherence to treatment.

Aims

To make known the reality of referral to a Psycho-Oncology Liaison consult and its context in literature.

Methods

Data collection on applications for the 1st request to Psycho-Oncology liaison consults occurred between 2010–2012 in the variables, gender, age, reason for referral, psychiatric history, cancer diagnosis, knowledge of the referral and who does (patient/family/service) and psychiatric diagnosis. Statistical analysis with Microsoft Excel 2010^®.

Results

It was found that there were 83 applications during the three years, 24 men and 59 women. The most prevalent cancer diagnoses were breast cancer (29.89%) and colorectal carcinoma (19.28%). Most patients had knowledge of the request (75.9%). The reason was mostly for Anxiety and Depression (33.73%).

Conclusion

Cancer disease coupled with feelings of loss of autonomy, hopelessness and pain can lead the patient to develop psychopathology of anxious-depressive disorders. This condition may hamper the normal recovery of the patient. The promotion of mental well-being in cancer patients is critical to recovery and leads to a better adherence to treatment, inclusive can influence survival.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.