Psychosocial Distress in Oncology Outpatients

Abstract

The level, nature, and prevalence of psychological distress in a heterogenous group of 141 patients attending a major Canadian oncology outpatient clinic were assessed utilizing the SCL-90. As a group, the oncology patients reported levels of psychological distress that were elevated in comparison to nonpatients but fell within "normal" limits. The distribution of scores, however, suggests that about one-third of all oncology outpatients can be expected to experience a high and clinically significant level of psychological distress. The results of this study are discussed in relation to other studies, the limitations of the present study, and the need for better methods of identifying patients in distress.