Psychological intervention. The gap between research and practice

Abstract

Despite a substantial body of literature on psychological interventions for cancer patients, there is a death of psycho-oncology units where such interventions can be conducted in Britain. For the majority of cancer patients, systematic psychological therapy is not available. Is such therapy of benefit to patients? The literature reveals compelling evidence from randomized trials that patients' quality of life can be improved significantly by psychological interventions, in particular cognitive behavioural therapy, psychoeducational therapy and supportive-expressive group therapy. Evidence concerning the effect of psychological interventions on survival is contradictory. But irrespective of that question, since cancers are chronic diseases, quality of life is important to patients; hence every effort should be made to provide facilities for evidence-based psychological interventions. One psychological factor shown to have a significant detrimental effect on both quality of life and survival of cancer patients is the coping response of helplessness/hopelessness. This response can be altered by psychotherapy.