Patient Preferences for Anxiety and Depression Screening in Cancer Care: A Discrete Choice Experiment

Screening for anxiety and depression in cancer care is recommended, as identification is the first step in managing anxiety and depression. Nevertheless, patient preferences for anxiety and depression screening in cancer care are unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate and identify the aspects of an anxiety and depression screening program cancer patients value most, to inform decision-makers about ways to improve patient uptake and ultimately, the provision of patient-centered care.

A discrete choice experiment was designed and implemented within an Australian cancer population sample. Participants were presented with a series of hypothetical screening programs labeled as "screening program 1" and "screening program 2" and were asked to choose their preferred one. The discrete choice experiment was administered using an online survey platform. A mixed logit and a latent class analysis was conducted.

Participants (n = 294) preferred screening to be conducted by a cancer nurse, face-to-face, and at regular intervals (monthly or every 3 months). Participants also preferred follow-up care to be delivered by mental health professionals embedded within the cancer care team. Factors that influenced preferences were the low cost and short waiting times for access to care.

Cancer patients prefer cancer services with integrated mental healthcare services. To maximize patient uptake, anxiety and depression screening programs should be routinely offered, delivered by oncology healthcare staff in a face-to-face format, and, postscreening, to be care for by mental health professionals embedded within the cancer service.