Work

Chinese Cancer Patients’ Attitudes Toward Psychotherapy and Their Willingness to Participate in Clinical Trials of Psychotherapy

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Psychotherapy is considered part of the standard treatment of cancer in Western countries. However, there is no literature on the attitudes of Chinese cancer patients toward psychotherapy. METHODS: In a multicenter, cross-sectional study in China, a homemade questionnaire was delivered to cancer patients. The targeted population was Chinese hospitalized cancer patients who were informed of their state of illness. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty cancer patients received our questionnaire, and 83.3% completed the questionnaire. Among the 458 patients, 43.2% indicated that they had never heard of psychotherapy before the survey. However, after a brief introduction of psychotherapy, most (92.1%) cancer patients indicated that psychotherapy is essential for cancer patients, and over half of patients (57.4%) were willing to take psychotherapy on the advice of the oncologist in charge. Participants aged 45 years or younger, had a family income > 10000 yuan per month, and had an ECOG PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status) of 2-4 were more willing to receive psychotherapy. Of all patients, 59.2% and 57.6% were willing to participate in individual and group psychotherapy clinical trials, respectively. Participants who had a bachelor's degree or higher (odds ratio, OR = 2.09) and were aged 45 years or younger (OR = 1.67) were more willing to participate in individual and group psychotherapy clinical trials, respectively. CONCLUSION: The unmet psychological needs of cancer patients in China remain high, and doctors' advice is likely to positively impact the patients' acceptance of psychotherapy. Psychological education for Chinese cancer patients should be strengthened. More high-quality clinical trials of psychotherapy should be conducted in China to achieve greater benefits for cancer patients and their families.

Source: Cancer Control

DOI: 10.1177/10732748221112664

Authors: Zhi Zeng, Yaotiao Deng, Jie Liu, Keyi Yang, Hu Peng, Yu Jiang

Institutions: Sichuan University, West China Medical Center of Sichuan University, West China Hospital of Sichuan University

Language: English

Topic: Cancer survivorship and care

Subfield: Oncology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,200