Psychosocial care for cancer patients: A new holistic psychosomatic approach in acute care and rehabilitation

Author(s): Bartsch, H. H., Nagel, G. A., Unger, C.

Journal/Book: Psycho-Oncol. 1996; 5: Baffins Lane, Chichester, W Sussex, England PO19 1UD. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 51-54.

Abstract: The Tumor Biology Center is an innovative model institution for cancer treatment and research which includes basic and applied research institutions and two different types of clinics: an acute care hospital (80 beds) and a rehabilitation hospital (120 beds). The department for psyche-oncology is an integrated part of the two hospitals and consists of a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, a social worker, a music therapist, an art therapist and an occupational therapist. The psychosocial care program uses different kinds of group therapy, as well as counselling and psychotherapy with the patients and their spouses. The psychosocial treatment approach is patient-oriented and aimed at the improvement of the patients coping skills and the psychological management of cancer-referred symptoms such as pain, anxiety or side effects of chemotherapy. The programs are described with regard to the psychosomatic treatment approach of the whole center and the peculiarities of the two different settings (acute care and rehabilitation).

Note: Article J Weis, Tumor Biol Ctr, Postfach 1120, D-79011 Freiburg, Germany

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