Cancer patients are up to four times more likely to experience depression and other mental health problems, but long waits for psychological therapy worsen symptoms, reduce readiness, and increase dropouts. Limited psychological therapy resources in cancer services made delivering effective support particularly challenging.
This randomised controlled trial compared usual care to a one-off session where clinicians provided information on how to get the most from treatment, helped set goals, and used motivational interviewing techniques, followed by personalised automatic text reminders of the patient’s own advice for what may help during the waiting period until therapy started.
To find out more about this project, click here.