Page No.07-18
Seema Mehrotra
NIMHANS, Bangalore
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Research in the field of psycho-oncology examines the host of psycho-social factors
that are likely to have a bearing on overall health and well being of cancer patients
and their caregivers at various points in the illness- trajectory. A scan of the psychooncology research literature from India was carried out utilizing pre-determined
key words on four electronic databases. About one hundred and twenty relevant
empirical papers were identified between the years 1977 and 2006. The review
indicates that multiple themes (e.g. psychosocial factors related to cancer screening,
distress, concerns and coping among patients and caregiver, development and
adaptation of assessment tools) have attracted attention of researchers. A fine
grade analysis of psychological processes and interpersonal dynamics that affect
quality of life and well being of cancer patients and their caregivers as well as
development and testing of cost-effective modules for psychological interventions
are some of the areas that require urgent research attention. The factors that can
impede the integration of empirical knowledge into routine clinical care and further
advances in the field are highlighted
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