Dissertation
Nature and extent of mental health problems among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and investigation of the association of mental health status with quality of decision making following diagnosis
Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Drexel University
01 Jun 2010
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-6152
Abstract
There is a significant gap in the literature concerning men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. Relatively little is known about the mental health status of men immediately following diagnosis. Currently, there is no consensus about the best treatment for newly diagnosed prostate cancer patients. Treatment protocols incorporate patients' values into the complex decision making process. Mental health status may negatively influence decision making skills and it is paramount that newly diagnosed men weigh the different treatments and side effects to arrive at the best possible decision. It is critical to understand the nature and extent of mental health problems in newly diagnosed men, and to investigate the association of mental health status with decision making, in order to promote quality care in the immediate post-diagnosis period. The author developed a system for electronically capturing newly diagnosed mental health status at the time of their pre-surgical consultation at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. A pilot was conducted with 75 patients to ensure mental health status was identifiable prior to the clinical encounter. Analysis was drawn from a 484 patient sample. The results of the study indicate that there is clinically significant mental health needs. About one fourth of the population had at least 1 clinically significant unmet mental health need. There was impaired function with patients who had depression and post traumatic stress disorder. It appears that patients who have clinically significant mental health need were less sure about their treatment decision then patients who did not have mental health issues. In conclusion, there are unmet mental health needs in patients who are newly diagnosed with prostate cancer. Because of the complexities in the decision making process regarding treatment, it is imperative that the mental health issues be addressed, to ensure the best possible treatment decision is made.
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Details
- Title
- Nature and extent of mental health problems among men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer and investigation of the association of mental health status with quality of decision making following diagnosis
- Creators
- Telisa M. Stewart - DU
- Contributors
- Lisa Ulmer (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Public Health (2002-2015); Community Health and Prevention [Historical]; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 6152; 991014632716504721