Providing Outpatient Oncology Mental Health Support: Understanding Staff Perspectives.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Mental health challenges are common in individuals with cancer, but accessing support remains a gap, particularly in outpatient oncology. Real-world factors influencing staff's ability to integrate mental health assessment and support into workflows are unclear. We aimed to (1) identify and explore factors influencing the assessment and management of mental health in outpatient oncology and (2) identify factors that influence normalising support for mental health during cancer treatment.

Methods

Through an exploratory qualitative approach, data was collected via focus groups with oncology healthcare professionals at a major metropolitan hospital. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed seven themes.

Results

Staff recognised the critical need for mental health s

SUBMITTER: Matthews E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12166112 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature