gms | German Medical Science

It is difficult to find an adequate psychotherapist for a patient with cancer. A reason for the inefficient ability of the psychotherapists seems to be the vague knowledge of different types of cancer, their diagnostics, therapy and special skills in assessment and management of distress by cancer.

Since 2000 the “Tumorzentrum Rheinland-Pfalz” has developed an educational program (“Psychoonkologisches Curriculum für Psychotherapeuten”) for psychotherapists to ensure that they understand the importance of distress management.

Structure and content: The program covers 6 Saturday mornings (each unit consists of five hours).

The maximum number of participants is 25. The following contents are taught:

1) Treatments in oncology, especially for patients with mamma-, colon-, skin- or prostate cancer and for patients with leukaemia/lymphoma;

2) Special problems in psycho-oncology: body awareness, sexuality, compliance, palliative care, treatment with psychiatric medication;

3) Case reports on special methods in psycho-oncology: skills that make it possible to manage emotional distress related with cancer and types of intervention for psychotherapists.

The individual parts of the seminar as well as the complete curriculum are evaluated anonymously. The evaluations show that there is a good acceptance and a high satisfaction. The needs of the participants are met. Ideas and motivation are provided.

There will be a network of psychotherapists with skills to manage psychosocial distress in oncology and to be able to give patients an adequate psychological treatment.

Table 1 [Tab. 1]