J Gynecol Oncol | Volume 3, Issue 3 | Research Article | Open Access
Shah NR1*, Abbott Y2, Ward KK3, Saenz CC2, McHale MT2 and Plaxe SC2
1Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The Permanente Medical Group, USA
2Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Rebecca and John Moores UCSD Cancer Center, USA
3Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Texas Oncology, USA
*Correspondance to: Nina R Shah
Fulltext PDFStarting in 2015 the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer required distress screening for patients at accredited cancer centers. Here we describe the impact on clinic operations of implementing a distress screening program in gynecologic oncology outpatients. Over 12 days, consecutive patients seen in a gynecologic oncology practice were asked to complete a distress screening questionnaire. We compared mean visit times during the study period to those of consecutive patients seen in the same practice from the preceding 12 days who were not screened. We also compared mean waiting room time, where the questionnaire was completed, and mean visit time by appointment type (new vs. return visit). Two hundred eightysix patients were enrolled; 147 controls and 139 screened. The questionnaire was offered to 103 (74%) of 139 patients seen during the screening period. Nine patients (6%) declined screening, and 94 patients (68%) completed the questionnaire. Mean visit time was 69 min for the control group and 66 min during the screening period. No difference was found in mean waiting room time or in mean visit time after adjustment for visit type. These data suggest that efficient and effective integration of universal distress screening in a gynecologic oncology outpatient practice is feasible.
Cancer; Distress; Gynecologic Oncology; Psychosocial; Screening
Shah NR, Abbott Y, Ward KK, Saenz CC, McHale MT and Plaxe SC. Early Experience with Distress Screening in a Gynecologic Oncology Practice. J Gynecol Oncol. 2020; 3(3): 1032.