Ludman, E.J., McCorkle, R., Bowles, E.A., Rutter, C.M., Chubak, J., Tuzzio, L., . . . Wagner, E.H. (2015). Do depressed newly diagnosed cancer patients differentially benefit from nurse navigation? General Hospital Psychiatry, 37, 236–239. 

DOI Link

Study Purpose

To evaluate effects of nurse navigation on depression among patients newly diagnosed with cancer

Intervention Characteristics/Basic Study Process

The nurse navigation intervention was designed to address care delays, care coordination, information needs, and help in patient decision-making and lack of emotional and social supports for patients. Patients randomized to receive the intervention had weekly nurse navigator contacts for 16 weeks. Nurses used a distress thermometer to identify problems and monitor progress. Those with high distress scores and suspected to have depression were referred for further assessment and treatment. Outcomes were evaluated in a four month follow-up telephone interview.

Sample Characteristics

  • N = 248  
  • MEAN AGE: 61.3 years
  • MALES: 11.3%, FEMALES: 88.7%
  • KEY DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, mostly stage I and II
  • OTHER KEY SAMPLE CHARACTERISTICS: Most had at least some college education, they were predominantly Caucasian, and the majority were married.

Setting

  • SITE: Multi-site  
  • SETTING TYPE: Not specified    
  • LOCATION: Seattle, WA

Phase of Care and Clinical Applications

PHASE OF CARE: Active antitumor treatment

Study Design

  • Randomized cohort controlled study
  • Secondary analysis

Measurement Instruments/Methods

  • Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
  • Distress Thermometer (DT)
  • Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care (PACIC)

Results

Most patients did not have depression at baseline. For those with higher baseline PHQ-9 scores, nurse navigation patients had higher PACIC scores; however, differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Findings did not show that nurse navigation was of greater benefit for patients with depressive symptoms or had an impact on depression scores.

Limitations

  • Risk of bias (no appropriate attentional control condition)

 

Nursing Implications

Findings of this study did not show that nurse navigation affected depressive symptoms or was of greater benefit to patients with depression among those newly diagnosed with cancer.