Approaching psychosocial complexity in patients with cancer

Abstract

Background and aim: To assess emotional distress and complexity of patients referred to the Psychosocial Committee. Material and methods: A pre-post single group study was performed in a sample of oncological patients. From the 144 patients referred to the committee, 27 were attended by psychosocial specialists. The patients’ levels of emotional distress and psychosocial complexity were reviewed one month later. Results: After having been attended according to the committee's indications, the patients showed significant decreases in emotional distress. The initial mean of 8 points on the emotional distress scale decreased to 5.81 points after having been referred to the specialist. This decline was also observed in psychosocial complexity. Before attendance, 70.4% patients showed high levels of complexity, and 7.4% showed low levels. After attendance, the percentages of patients with high levels of psychosocial complexity reduced to 48.1% and patients with low complexity increased to 22.2%. Conclusions: The committee provides an instrument to refer patients who show high levels of psychosocial complexity and require preferential and multidisciplinary attention. The committee optimizes resources due to its efficiency in resolving complex cases.