2945 - Therapist Outpatient Consultation, Treatment-Related Anxiety and Satisfaction in Breast Cancer and Head-Neck Cancer Radiotherapy Patients
Presenter(s)
F. Bai1, L. Zhang2, J. Li3, L. L. Xu4, and L. Zhao5; 1Department of Radiation Oncology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, xi'an, Shaanxi, China, 2Department of Radiation Oncology,Xijing Hospital,Air Force Medical University CN, Xi'an, ShaanXi, China, 3Department of Radiation Oncology,Xijing Hospital,Air Force Medical University CN, Xi’an, China, 4Department of Radiation Oncology,Xijing Hospital,Air Force Medical University CN, xi'an, ShaanXi, China, 5StateKey Laboratory of Holisticntegrative Managementof Gastrointestinal Cancersand Department of RadiationOncology,Xijing Hospital,Fourth Military MedicalUniversity, Xi'an, China
Purpose/Objective(s): To evaluate the effect of professional therapist outpatient consultation on reducing treatment-related anxiety and improving treatment satisfaction in patients with breast cancer or head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, and to explore its positive impact on psychological status and clinical treatment.
Materials/Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial enrolled 270 patients with breast cancer or head and neck cancer scheduled for radiotherapy, who were randomly divided into three groups: video education group (n=90), therapist outpatient consultation group (n=90), and standard care group (n=90). The video education group received standardized informational video before simulation, while the therapist consultation group received one-to-one personalized psychological guidance and treatment explanation in an outpatient setting before the first radiotherapy session. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Distress Thermometer (DT) at four time points: post-initial consultation, post-simulation, post-first treatment, and treatment completion. Patient satisfaction and comfort were also evaluated during treatment.
Results: Baseline anxiety scores were comparable among all three groups. Patients in the therapist outpatient consultation group showed significantly lower DT scores and higher treatment satisfaction after the first treatment compared with both the video education group (p<0.0043) and standard care group (p<0.0051). Although the video education and standard care groups achieved anxiety reduction through treatment habituation, the therapist consultation group maintained consistently lower anxiety levels and higher overall satisfaction throughout the entire treatment course, indicating earlier and more stable anxiety relief and better treatment experience.
Conclusion: Professional therapist outpatient consultation can effectively and rapidly reduce treatment-related anxiety and significantly improve patient comfort and satisfaction in radiotherapy patients with breast cancer or head and neck cancer. The implementation of routine therapist outpatient consultation services may exert positive effects on patients’ psychological well-being, treatment tolerance, and overall treatment process. We recommend the widespread promotion of therapist outpatient consultation in clinical radiotherapy practice to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.