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A randomized psychosocial intervention study on the effect of home visits on the well-being of Danish colorectal cancer patients--the INCA Project

Lone Ross, Birthe L Thomsen, Randi V Karlsen, Ellen H Boesen, Christoffer Johansen

28 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Home visits by health care professionals may constitute a formalized social relationship in which cancer patients can be given emotional and informational support. We aimed at studying the effect of home visits on the well-being of colorectal cancer patients. A total of 249 Danish colorectal cancer patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly assigned to a control group or to an intervention group. The intervention group received 10 home visits carried out by a project nurse or a medical doctor during the first 2 years after discharge. Participants were interviewed 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after discharge in order to assess well-being. Using a linear mixed model, we found no overall effect of the intervention on well-being. We recommend that future psychosocial intervention studies include baseline screening for distress and recommend testing the effect of shorter but intensive interventions carried out by trained therapists.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPsycho-Oncology
Volume14
Issue number11
Pages (from-to)949-61
Number of pages13
ISSN1057-9249
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2005
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms/psychology
  • Denmark
  • Female
  • House Calls
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Patient Education as Topic
  • Physician-Nurse Relations
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Social Support
  • Stress, Psychological

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