PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF DELIVERING CANCER CARE: AN UPDATE

Abstract

Cancer patients face psychological and physical challenges after diagnosis, and can benefit greatly from appropriate psychosocial care. This paper presents a brief history of psychosocial oncology care and recent developments in Australia. Consumers, doctors, nurses, allied health and psychosocial health professionals have all played an important role in this area. Some highlights include: the Australian psychosocial clinical practice guidelines; the development of key patient reported outcome measures; documentation of stress and burnout in oncology health professionals; the development and evaluation of communication resources; a recent focus on survivorship; and a growing body of interven..