Butow, P., Price, M.A., Shaw, J.M., Turner, J., Clayton, J.M., Grimison, P., . . . Kirsten, L. (2015). Clinical pathway for the screening, assessment and management of anxiety and depression in adult cancer patients: Australian guidelines. Psycho-Oncology, 24, 987–1001.
PHASE OF CARE: Multiple phases of care
No information is provided regarding literature retrieved, quality of evidence, or how the evidence was used to develop the guidelines provided.
Outlines relevant healthcare provider roles. Identified the following assessment tools for use: Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale, the NCCN's Distress Thermometer, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Provides a stepped path of interventions based on ongoing monitoring of symptoms and effectiveness of previous interventions. Recommendations for initial intervention are patient education (in-person or online) and brief emotional support. Ongoing interventions for those with cancer-related anxiety and depression include coping skills training, relaxation skills, communication skills, mindfulness, and a variety or psychological therapies.
Despite an extensive review process for guidelines, as well as input from stakeholders, there is little information on the evidence base for the recommendations provided.
This guideline outlines recommended providers, and nurses are not specifically outlined as recommended providers in the written pathway other than as “other appropriately trained staff,” although nurses are identified as having roles in screening, assessment, and educational and counseling types of roles. This guideline provides no new information and does not directly provide the evidence base on which recommendations are based. The guideline suggests more limited roles for nurses than has been demonstrated in relevant research.