Current projects

The British Psychosocial Oncology Society (BPOS) survey of psychosocial oncology clinical services in the UK: Roles, structure, skill mix and functions

Professor Dominic Upton
Holly Andrews
Stella Williamson
Dr Annie Young

Psychology and Health Sciences
Institute of Health, Social Care and Psychology
University of Worcester
Worcester, WR2 6AJ

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to design a tool that would identify the make up of an effective psychosocial oncology service, including the roles, structure, skills mix and functions and then to use this questionnaire to survey current psychosocial oncology services in the UK. Based on a brief literature review and expert opinion a questionnaire was designed to tap key aspects of such services. Access to the service, treatment targets, service development, referral processes, service monitoring and evaluation, patient needs assessment and information, team membership, levels of service provided, links to other services and sources of funding were assessed. The questionnaires were disseminated to all cancer networks in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to be passed on for completion by individual organisations providing psychosocial oncology services. In total, responses were received from 82 organisations from within 76% of the networks sampled. Results showed many areas of congruence with previous literature. In particular, there appeared to be a lack of social care provision compared to psychological care and a few strong links with other key services. Other areas of concern included referral processes, access to psychosocial oncology services, and an overarching lack of funds and resources to meet ever changing and demanding guidelines. Based on present results and past literature, recommendations for successful psychosocial oncology services are made.


To view the full report, or put forward ideas for a research project which might benefit from access to the data set, please contact Galina Velikova on 0113 206 7917 or at g.velikova@leeds.ac.uk.