Development of a scale and an intervention method using a screening tool for social problems among working age patients with cancer

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K13100
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Social welfare and social work studies
• Research Institution: Kanazawa Medical University
• Principal Investigator: HISAMURA Kazuho (石川和穂) 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00326993)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 元雄 良治 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 教授 (80210095)
• Co-Investigator(Renkei-kenkyūsha): MATSUSHIMA Eisuke 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院・医歯学総合研究科, 教授 (50242186) ; KITAMOTO Fukumi 金沢医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (00186272)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 社会的問題 / がん患者 / 就労 / スクリーニング / 社会的支援

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The present research developed an evaluation scale for social problems experienced by cancer patients of working age (i.e., 20-64 years old). Items on the scale were generated based on both interview surveys of working-aged patients and discussion among panels of multi-disciplinary professionals who provide support to patients with cancer. An Internet-based survey was administered to 804 cancer patients. The results indicated that 39.5% of the cancer patients of working age experienced at least one serious social problem during the last week. Based on the survey results, a 14-item scale for social problems was created, and the validity and reliability of the scale were confirmed. Additionally, an algorithm was developed for social workers to use as a screening tool to identify social distress in patients with cancer to allow for effective intervention in outpatient clinics.

Free Research Field

オンコロジー・ソーシャルワーク