Managing social difficulties in routine oncology practice

INTERVENTION: All patients on the study are asked to complete baseline measures (recording of an out‐patient review consultation with their doctor and four questionnaires). Patients are then randomised into an intervention (treatment) arm, or a control arm. Those in the intervention arm will be provided with a Support Services Information Pack. Those in the control arm receive standard care (i.e. no additional information or interventions to those already available from their clinical teams or within the hospital). All patients, regardless of arm, are on the study for a further 3 consecutive out patient review appointments (4 in total including baseline). Therefore the length of follow‐up varies depending on their treatment, but will be between 4 to 12 weeks, with some exceptions. Patients are also asked to participate in an exit interview which can be completed within 2 weeks of completion of their participation in the study. Follow‐up length: 4 months Study entry: registration and one or more randomisations 29/08/2012: Please note that as of 27/07/2012 patient recruitment was stopped due to the objectives becoming inviable and a lack of participants and staff. Interviews with staff will continue until 31/12/2012. CONDITION: Topic: National Cancer Research Network; Subtopic: All Cancers/Misc Sites; Disease: Bone, Head and Neck, Myeloma ; Cancer ; Cancer PRIMARY OUTCOME: 1. Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System‐Short Form (CARES‐SF); 2. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS); 3. Social Difficulties Inventory (SDI‐21) ; ; Measured at baseline (prior to any intervention) and end of study (after four months). SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1. Patient checklists: recording use of services at baseline and end of study; 2. Nurse checklists: recording informal contact between nursing staff running the clinic and participating patients, measured at baseline, visits 1 ‐ 3 and end of study; 3. Audio recording: recording consultations that participating patients have with the doctors, measured at baseline, visits 1 ‐ 3 and end of study INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. Be able to read and understand English 2. Have the capacity to give informed consent and complete the questionnaires 3. Not be participating in any other psychosocial studies 4. Be on active treatment having completed at least one cycle of chemotherapy and commenced radiotherapy 5. Be planning to continue treatment and attend the hospital for four consecutive appointments over 3 to 6 months 6. Male and female, lower age limit of 18 years