Using the distress thermometer to guide electronic referrals to psychosocial services

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluate a new administration protocol of the distress thermometer (DT) and assess its use in guiding electronic referrals within the medical record.

Design: Data were gathered as part of a quality improvement project.

Sample: Any patient within Saint Luke’s Cancer Institute from March of 2016 to December of 2017.

Methods: The DT was administered at every appointment with surgical and medical oncology and on Mondays while completing radiation. A referral to supportive services was offered to any patient scoring a 4 or above.

Findings: Referrals to all supportive services increased by 69%. Staff adherence to distress screening guidelines increased to 95.42% and patient refusal to accept referrals fell to 2.72%.

Conclusion: Administering the DT on a more regular basis and utilizing the DT to guide electronic referrals is achievable and results in increased referrals to supportive services.

Implications for psychosocial providers or policy: Utilizing the DT in this manner can increase the number of patients identified and treated for distress.

Keywords:

• cancer
• distress thermometer
• oncology
• referrals
• screening
• supportive services

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Deborah Glenn for her work in building the distress thermometer into the electronic medical record and Mark Monn for carrying out data collection.

Disclosure statement

The authors have nothing to disclose.