Intervention of a clinical psychologist in the treatment of an autistic patient with pancreatic cancer: a report on a surgical case

ABSTRACT

<b>Case</b> A 40-year-old woman. <b>Clinical diagnosis</b> Autistic disorder with mild mental retardation. <b>Case report</b> The patient underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for the treatment of her pancreatic cancer. We held several conferences with individuals from different medical fields and examined the influence of the patient's autistic disorder on the perioperative conditions. The senior author, a clinical psychologist, conducted repeated individual, acceptive, and sympathetic interviews with the patient and her family and maintained supportive relationships with them as an honorary family member. Thus, the clinical psychologist helped reduce the patient's anxiety about the medical treatment. <b>Conclusion</b> The participation of a clinical psychologist in the medical conferences enabled the medical staff to understand the complications involved and provide mental support to the patient and her family. Palliat Care Res 2010; 5(2) 323-326