Screening for Distress
April 2012 marks the beginning of the Partnership’s second five-year mandate and the next phase of implementing Canada’s national cancer strategy. The priorities and initiatives for the next five years are outlined in our 2012-2017 strategic plan, Sustaining Action Toward a Shared Vision. Our website will soon be updated to reflect the activities supporting the strategic plan. The information below reflects the priorities and accomplishments of our work between 2007 and 2012.
Helping people get the care they need
Many people with cancer report physical symptoms such as fatigue and pain. They may also experience feelings of sadness, fear and loneliness — as well as depression, anxiety and panic. Research indicates that 35 to 40 per cent of cancer patients feel enough distress that they would benefit from additional support services.1
Distress is recognized by Accreditation Canada as the sixth vital sign, following heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature and pain. It can often be detected through dialogue with patients and the use of simple, standardized tools, such as a survey that records an individual’s level of pain, depression, anxiety and fatigue. Identifying distress proactively allows clinicians to determine whether a patient requires further assessment or referral for supportive care. This process helps to ensure that people receive the support they need to cope with the psychosocial and practical challenges that often accompany a cancer diagnosis or arise over the course of treatment.
The Partnership is working in collaboration with nine cancer care organizations and jurisdictions (Alberta Health Services, the BC Cancer Agency, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Northeastern Ontario, CancerCare Manitoba, the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, the Quebec City Supra Region, and the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency) to develop and adopt resources to support screening for distress.
By increasing access for patients and families to a full range of services they need, screening for distress can help address important needs during the cancer journey. Team members are working in partnership with health-care providers, survivors and cancer patients to offer the support, tools and training needed for local staff and organizations to establish programs that meet the specific needs of local patient populations across Canada.
Progress to date
- Since the start of the initiative in 2009, more than 900 trained health professionals have screened over 10,000 patients.
- Developed in collaboration with the Canadian Association of Psychosocial Oncology, A Pan-Canadian Clinical Practice Guideline: Assessment of Psychosocial Health Care Needs of the Adult Cancer Patient was finalized and distributed in October 2009. The guideline provides access to comprehensive evidence that helps ensure that practitioners understand the physical, psychological and informational needs of patients.
- A national implementation group, composed of representatives from the participating jurisdictions, was formed to share strategies and identify knowledge gaps in the implementation and management of screening for distress.
- An evaluation of the work to date has begun, with results expected in 2011/12. Early findings show there was improved inter-professional collaboration and communication, better staff awareness of the resources available to patients, and greater efficiency in referrals to psychosocial resources. Preliminary feedback from patients indicates that use of a screening for distress tool improves communication about, and management of, symptoms and concerns.
1Zabora J., Brintzenhofe-Szoc K., Curbow B., Hooker C., Piantadosi S. “The prevalence of psychosocial distress by cancer site.” Psycho-oncology 2001;10(1):19–28.
