Evaluation of a counselling service in psychosocial cancer care

The aim of the current study was to describe patient-perceived outcomes of a counselling intervention for cancer patients. An individual counselling service was established at a cancer clinic in Sweden. The service offered counselling intervention which consisted of short-term crisis and supportive counselling focused on meeting individual patients' expectations and needs. Of the 72 patients who were included in the study, 43 participated. The findings show that expectations regarding the counselling intervention were fulfilled for 84% of the patients. Four descriptive themes describing perceived outcomes were found: reformulation of the situation with cancer and illness, managing problematic situations, courage to express one's own needs to professional caregivers, and insufficient support. Concerning the outcomes from the counselling, 67% of the participants stated that they had received improved understanding of their own reactions and feelings. Nearly half the group (40%) experienced distance to their disease and life situation. Some participants also said that they experienced increased pleasure in life (44%), had more ability to take action (42%), and were less frightened (37) after the intervention. Insufficient support was reported by 5 patients. Thus, counselling was perceived by the majority of the participants as beneficial. Implications for psychosocial support in cancer care are given.