Existential distress in patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers: study protocol of a longitudinal cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

At the end of life, patients with advanced cancer and their informal caregivers may confront multiple existential concerns. Despite the strong potential to alleviate existential distress through psychosocial interventions, existential distress and its impact on healthcare outcomes have not yet been studied systematically. We aim to investigate the frequency, longitudinal trajectory and predictive impact of existential distress on end-of-life outcomes. We further aim to determine patients' and caregivers' specific need for and utilisation of psychosocial support for existential distress.

Methods

This longitudinal cohort study will consecutively recruit 500 patients with advanced cancer and 500 caregivers from oncological outpatient and inpatient clinics. Particip

SUBMITTER: Philipp R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8074557 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature