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…

S3-Leitlinie "Diagnostik, Therapie und Nachsorge des Melanoms" - Kurzfassung

Use of psycho‐oncological services by prostate cancer patients: A multilevel analysis

Abstract Background Cancer patients often suffer from psychological distress. Psycho‐oncological services (POS) have been established in some health care systems in order to address such issues. This study aims to identify patient and center characteristics that elucidate the use of POS by patients in prostate cancer centers (PCCs). Methods Center‐reported certification and patient survey data from 3094 patients in 44 certified PCCs in Germany were gathered in the observational study (Prostate Cancer Outcomes). A multilevel analysis was conducted. Results Model 1 showed that utilization of POS in PCCs is associated with patients’ age (OR = 0.98; 95%‐CI = 0.96‐0.99; P < .001), number of como…

Psycho-oncological care in certified cancer centres-a nationwide analysis in Germany

Background Over the last few years, a nationwide voluntary certification system for cancer centres has been established in Germany. To qualify for certification, cancer centres must provide psycho-oncological care to every patient who needs it. The aim of this study was to find out how many patients have been treated by a psycho-oncologist in the certified centres. Methods All cancer centres in Germany that were re-certified in 2010 provided data documenting how many patients with primary cancer received at least 30 min of psycho-oncological consultation in 2009. Results Data from n = 456 certified cancer centres were available. In the centres, a total of 36 165 patients were seen by a psyc…

Malignant Melanoma S3-Guideline “Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Melanoma”

This first German evidence-based guideline for cutaneous melanoma was developed under the auspices of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) and the Dermatologic Cooperative Oncology Group (DeCOG) and funded by the German Guideline Program in Oncology. The recommendations are based on a systematic literature search, and on the consensus of 32 medical societies, working groups and patient representatives. This guideline contains recommendations concerning diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of melanoma. The diagnosis of primary melanoma based on clinical features and dermoscopic criteria. It is confirmed by histopathologic examination after complete excision with a small margin. For the stagin…

Interdisciplinary Screening, Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Breast Cancer. Guideline of the DGGG and the DKG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry Number 032/045OL, December 2017) - Part 2 with Recommendations for the Therapy of Primary, Recurrent and Advanced Breast Cancer

Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 78(11), 1056-1088 (2018). doi:10.1055/a-0646-4630

Interdisciplinary Screening, Diagnosis, Therapy and Follow-up of Breast Cancer. Guideline of the DGGG and the DKG (S3-Level, AWMF Registry Number 032/045OL, December 2017) – Part 1 with Recommendations for the Screening, Diagnosis and Therapy of Breast Cancer

62. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, DGGG'18, Berlin, Germany, 31 Oct 2018 - 3 Nov 2018; Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde 78(10), 927-948 (2018). doi:10.1055/a-0646-4522 special issue: "62. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Gynäkologie und Geburtshilfe, DGGG'18, Berlin, 31.10 – 03.11.2018 : Frauenheilkunde im Fokus: wissenschaftlich fundiert und der Qualität verpflichtet"