Implications of a needs assessment intervention for people with progressive cancer: Impact on clinical assessment, response and service utilisation

Amy Waller, Afaf Girgis, Claire Johnson, Christophe Lecathelinais, David Sibbritt, Michael Seldon, Tony Bonaventura, David Currow

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

19 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To assess the impact of the systematic use of the Palliative Care Needs Assessment Guidelines and Needs Assessment Tool: Progressive Disease-Cancer (NAT: PD-C) on clinical assessment, response and service utilisation. Study setting: Three major oncology treatment centres in NSW, Australia. Study design: Between March 2007 and December 2009, 219 people with advanced cancer were recruited to complete bi-monthly telephone interviews. The intervention, introduced after at least two baseline interviews, involved training health professionals to complete the NAT: PD-C with patients approximately monthly. Data collection: Rates of service use and referrals were compared pre- and post-introduction of the NAT: PD-C. Rates of completion of the tool; its impact on consultation length; and the types of needs and follow-up care to address these were also assessed. Principal findings: The NAT: PD-C had a high rate of completion; identified needs consistent with those self-reported by patients in interviews; and did not alter consultation length. No changes in the number of health professionals seen by patients were found pre- and post-intervention. Conclusion: The NAT: PD-C is an efficient and acceptable strategy for supporting needs-based cancer care that can potentially be incorporated into standard routine care without increasing the burden on care providers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)550-557
Number of pages8
JournalPsycho-Oncology
Volume21
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cancer
  • NAT: PD-C
  • oncology
  • palliative care
  • service utilisation

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