Social Work - Theses
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ItemAn exploratory study into the psychosocial effects and patient experience of women undergoing treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer( 2013)The field of psycho-oncology has expanded over the last thirty years and there has been much research focussed into the general cancer patient experience and into specialist areas like breast cancer. However, there is limited literature that outlines the psychosocial needs and patient experience of women undergoing combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. In a country like Australia, this group of patients is a small sample of the overall cancer population, however clinical practice indicates that these patients often have high psychosocial needs. This study was based at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, a specialist cancer centre in Melbourne. It aimed to illustrate socio-demographic, psychosocial stressors, service utilisation and information about the consumer experience for this patient population. This study employed a practice-based research methodology comprising three Phases including clinical case studies, clinical data mining and consumer interviews. Results from the research outline socio-demographic details of these patients who attend this specialist cancer centre, and indicate that cervical cancer patients experience high levels of psychosocial stressors and needs and are high users of social work services. Outcomes from the consumer interviews illustrated patient preferences for peer support and attention to post treatment survivorship needs. Recommendations from this study suggest that there would be benefit to a model of psychosocial intervention focussed on supportive care specifically for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. Recommendations also suggest benefit to a patient pathway that is evidence-informed and patient focussed and that incorporates psychosocial factors alongside the medical treatment continuum.