Dr.Sorayya Hematipour

Psychological Interventions and Promoting Access to Specialized Services for Cancer Patients in Psycho-Oncology

Publication date : 1405/6/25


Psychological tele-interventions in psycho-oncology refers to the use of communication technologies to provide specialized psychological services to patients with cancer at a geographical distance from the therapist and has been introduced in recent years as one of the important approaches in the development of patient-centered mental care. The main basis of this approach is based on the view that the psychological needs of patients with cancer should be considered at the same time as medical care, and geographical, physical, or time constraints should not prevent them from accessing specialized support. Teleinterventions can be implemented through video calls, online counseling, phone calls, and digital systems, allowing for interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, stress management, emotion regulation, coping skills training, and psychological support. This method is especially important for patients who live in areas without psycho-oncology specialists, patients with limited mobility or fatigue due to treatment, and people who find it difficult to commute frequently to treatment centers. One of the most important uses of teleinterventions is to reduce the gap between psychological needs and receiving specialized services, so that the patient can follow regular and structured meetings with the specialist without being physically present in the treatment center. In this process, the initial assessment should include an examination of emotional status, distress intensity, anxiety, depression, quality of life, family conditions, and psychological risk factors to determine the type and severity of the intervention appropriate to the individual's needs. Teleinterventions also allow for continuity of care during different periods of the disease and can be continued after surgery, during chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and during the rehabilitation phase. One of the important advantages of this method is the flexibility of time and the reduction of commuting costs, which can increase the patient's participation in the treatment process. Also, the possibility of family members attending some sessions can help improve family communication and increase social support. However, the effectiveness of teleinterventions depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship, the skill of the specialist, the patient's access to the internet and appropriate equipment, digital literacy, and the degree of acceptance of technology. Maintaining a therapeutic relationship in a virtual environment requires special attention to non-verbal communication, empathy, active listening, and creating a sense of psychological security. On the other hand, not all patients are required to receive remote services, and factors such as age, digital literacy level, cognitive problems, severe psychological disorders, or crisis situations can limit the use of these services. One of the main challenges is to manage high-risk situations such as suicidal thoughts, severe anxiety crisis, or mental distress, because in such a situation, the intervention trap must have a clear mechanism for immediate referral and access to face-to-face services. In psycho-oncology, teleinterventions should not be limited to the transfer of face-to-face sessions to the online space, but need to be designed based on the characteristics of cancer patients and their specific needs. The use of standard protocols, valid screening tools, and continuous monitoring of treatment outcomes can increase the quality of these services. It is suggested that cancer treatment centers develop telepsychology services alongside face-to-face care and in the form of a hybrid model so that the patient can use the appropriate option based on their circumstances and preferences. It is also necessary to train specialists in virtual therapy communication skills, remote crisis management, and information protection. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of these interventions on indicators such as distress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, disease adaptation, and patient satisfaction and compare their effectiveness in different groups of patients. Overall, psychological interventions can increase the access of cancer patients to specialized services by reducing geographical, temporal, and physical barriers and provide the basis for the continuity of psychological care. The main value of this approach becomes apparent when technology is used in the service of relationship therapy, person-centered care, and specialized decision-making, and is used as part of a comprehensive psycho-oncology system alongside face-to-face services.