Assessment of patient's feeling and psychological impact of Announcement of cancer diagnosis at HASSAN II university hospital in Fez

Abstract

Author(s): Samia Khalfi*, Benhadouch Yassine, Benmaamar SOUMAYA, Soussy Kaoutar, Filali Hajar, Assenhaji Louizi Bouthaina, Sbai Mohammed, Faris Nourelhouda, Farhane Fatima Zahra, Alami Zenab, Bouhafa Touria, Hassouni Khalid, Bout Amine, Aarab Chadya, Aalouane Rachid and EL Fakir Samira

Introduction:The announcement of the diagnosis of cancer is the first step in the management; it conditions the experience of the disease and compliance with treatment.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess patients' feelings about the diagnosis of cancer and its psychological impact.

Methodology: We conducted a monocentric cross-sectional study at Hassan II university hospital; we included 203 newly diagnosed patients over the year 2021. We assessed patient perception after the announcement and identified its psychological impact through the MINI scale.

Results: The average age was 52 (18-92). 65% were female, 51.7% were urban and 59.1% had a low income. 72.0% of patients felt that the time spent on the announcement was not sufficient, 68.5% were not involved in the therapeutic choice and 68.1% of our patients felt that their social, family and economic situation was not taken into account.

In terms of overall patient perceptions of the announcement, 77.3% of participants were satisfied. Three main psychiatric disorders were identified, major depression (37.9%), generalized anxiety (30.5%), and post-traumatic stress (8.4%). Patients who were dissatisfied with the quality of diagnosis announcement are 5.4 times more likely to have major depression independently of other factors (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: In our social context, the announcement of a cancer diagnosis can have psychological repercussions on patients or the interest in setting up a personalized announcement consultation.

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