ABSTRACT
The psychologic distress in patients with cancer may be divided into three categories; depression, anxiety and neuro-cognitive changes including delirium. The supportive interventions of health care professionals along with the use of psychotropic medications have been shown to relieve depression, anxiety, and states of confusion in oncology patients. Oncology nurses are in a critical position to identify problems and intervene to provide appropriate symptom relief. The management of psychologic distress may improve adherence to treatment programs, reduce toxicity, achieve a better quality of life, and enhance grace and dignity at the end of life.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/nursing , Neoplasms/psychology , Stress, Psychological , Anxiety/diagnosis , Anxiety/etiology , Anxiety/therapy , Anxiety Disorders/complications , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Cognition Disorders/etiology , Cognition Disorders/therapy , Communication , Depressive Disorder/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Depressive Disorder/etiology , Humans , Stress, Psychological/diagnosis , Stress, Psychological/etiology , Stress, Psychological/therapy , Terminally Ill/psychologyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Because of the low rate of cure and high rate of relapse, the disease course of ovarian cancer can be emotionally devastating. Using psychological interventions to support patients emotionally and to enhance their quality of life should therefore be considered an important complement to medical care. OVERVIEW: The authors describe a support group for patients with ovarian cancer, which was conducted over a 2-year period. The group consisted of patients with poor prognoses whose experience ranged from initial medical treatment, remission, and relapse to the dying experience. Key themes that arose during the sessions are identified, and differences between psychotherapy groups and support groups are highlighted. In contrast to psychotherapy groups, existential issues stood out as the most important therapeutic factor in this support group. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Because it is widely acknowledged that support groups have unique value in the total care of women with ovarian cancer, this description of issues related to group process hopefully will assist others who may plan to offer this type of psychological intervention for patients. With increasing technology and the resulting extension of life for patients with ovarian cancer, support groups like this may become an important aspect of care to enhance quality of life. The multidisciplinary team, including psychiatry, social work, nursing, and chaplaincy, is essential in expanding support groups in healthcare settings.
