Distress Screening: Evaluating a Protocol for Gynecologic Cancer Survivors .
Cynae Johnson, Marshalee George, Amanda N Fader
PMID 28524896WHAT IT FOUND
A distress screening pathway for gynecologic cancer survivors increased social worker referrals and improved patient satisfaction.
Higher distress scores were linked to lower quality of life. The protocol was feasible but relied on limited social work resources.
Key findings
01The screening pathway increased social worker referrals compared to historical chart audits.
02High distress scores were strongly associated with lower overall quality of life scores.
03Patient satisfaction with distress assessment and management improved significantly compared to the prior phase.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study was a small, single-center pilot with a short duration, limiting generalizability. The time since end of treatment was not specified, which can affect distress levels. Social worker availability was limited, posing challenges for sustainable implementation. The study only included survivors who had completed primary treatment, excluding those in active care.
Declared interests
The authors did not receive honoraria and disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this screening protocol is universally feasible without adequate social work staffing. The pilot relied on dedicated, though limited, social worker time, and implementation challenges were noted regarding space and staff availability.