[Psycho-oncology for speech therapists: establishment and conception of the course PSYKOL]

Head and neck cancer patients show a high psychiatric comorbidity, yet receive only little psychosocial support. Therefore, a specific psychosocial qualification for speech therapists working with head and neck cancer patients seems necessary.

A course was developed based on a process model. Questionnaires were completed by speech therapists (self-evaluation of working situation; n = 15) as well as therapists interested in further training (collection of issues in the work with head and neck patients who are under psychological pressure assessed as problematic by the therapists; n = 27), whose competence in communication was also evaluated. In addition, a literature research was conducted and a focus group was formed.

High psychosocial demands within the therapists' work with tumor patients and difficulties in communication became obvious. Nearly all interviewees frequently used nonconducive communication patterns, yet implicit knowledge existed (usage of a favorable conversational style in multiple choice test: 68 %). The content and concept of the curriculum were discussed within the focus group and led to the final version of the training.

A customised psycho-social training curriculum for speech therapists has been developed.