Frequency of psycho-oncologic and social service counseling in cancer centers relative to center site and hospital characteristics: Findings from 879 center sites in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy

BACKGROUND There is extensive evidence that patients with cancer and cancer survivors have a strong need for expert support in relation to the psychological and social consequences of the disease. The requirements set out in the German Cancer Society's cancer center certification system include the routine provision of psycho-oncologic care (POC) and social service counseling for every patient. The current study investigated which organizational and structural characteristics in hospitals account for variations in psychosocial care provision in these centers. METHODS Data routinely collected during the certification process regarding the percentages of psychosocial care provision and charac…