Implementation of a Psycho-Oncology Program according to international recommendations applied in a Brazilian Public Service

• Main Authors: Cristiane Decat Bergerot, Carolina Gaue Zayat, Isadora Miranda de Azevedo, Getulio Yuzo Okuma, Renata Nunes Pedras, Maria Fernanda Marcusso Manhães, Edvane Birelo Lopes De Domenico
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
• Series: Estudos de Psicologia (Natal)
• Subjects: psico-oncología; rutina; distress; evaluación psicossocial
• Online Access: http://pepsic.bvsalud.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-294X2017000400002&lng=en&tlng=en

The development of international guidelines for distress assessment gave greater visibility to the importance of psychosocial issues within Oncology services. This study sought to identify the instruments used in Brazil, to describe the procedures for implementing this program and to present the preliminary results of a public hospital. In Brazil these recommendations are little broadcast. However, the feasibility and benefits of this new model of care were proved. There was a substantial increased number of patients seen, suggesting agility for distress identification. This program organized and optimized the cancer care, facilitated interprofessional communication, and ensured the identification of patients' needs.