Phase (1): Refine Measure
- 350 participants from 10 CSC affiliate sites and Exempla St. Joseph Hospital nationwide completed pen-and-paper version of the 53-item SupportScreen™
- Refined SupportScreen™ 53-item measure to a total of 36-items using a statistical and theoretical criteria to meet community needs
Phase (2): Test Validity and Reliability
- 319 participants from 14 CSC sites nationwide completed pen-and-paper version of the 36-item screening tool
- A subsample of 101 participants completed the 36-item screening tool a second time following the completion of the survey
Participants had to be:
- English-speaking, 18 years+ of age
- Cancer outpatients in treatment or follow-up
Survey included:
- 36-item problem-related distress screening tool
- Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
- Distress Thermometer (DT)
- Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy
- General well-being scale (FACT-G; version 4)
- Demographic and biomedical questions
Phase (3) Test Feasibility
Demonstrate that 5 unique community based sites can:
- Screen 85% of new patients for distress
- Make appropriate referrals
- Provide follow-up care
Phase (3): Methodology
- All new first or second-visit outpatients, (depending on study site) screen using electronic 36-item community-validated screening tool
- Patients (whether in the study or not) rescreen at 30-40 days from initial visit
- Study participants complete additional set of evaluation questions at baseline and at rescreen visit
- Program staff complete brief electronic survey after the initial screening and rescreening, and participate in monthly site-wide evaluation calls to discuss successes and challenges