LAUSR

The new, complex care programme 'integrated cross-sectoral Psycho-Oncologý (isPO) aims to reduce anxiety and depression in newly diagnosed cancer patients. It offers psycho-oncological care after diagnosis for twelve months dependent on patients' individual needs. Parallel, it is externally evaluated with a tripartite mixed methods evaluation design that includes a prospective, formative and summative evaluation. In 2019, isPO was implemented in four newly established care networks of certified oncological center hospitals cooperating with local oncological practices in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany. During the formative evaluation, quantitative data on patients' first experiences in the new programme were collected that reflect the first year of its implementation (optimisation phase). During the first year of its implementation, 372 newly diagnosed cancer patients were contacted three months after their enrollment, to complete a questionnaire concerning patientś experiences with the programme and further patient reported outcomes, e.g. quality of life. Preliminary analyses were conducted descriptively. The questionnaire was completed by 219 patients (response rate: 58.9%). Results show that the majority of surveyed patients were satisfied with their care in isPO (79,5% n = 174; missings n = 24) and felt support was provided according to their individual needs (69,9% n = 153; missings n = 30). 49,3% of patients (n = 108; missings n = 34) report that their quality of life improved due to the isPO care and 59,4% (n = 130; missings n = 28) wouldn't have utilised psycho-oncological care by themselves without the active offer to enroll in isPO. Findings indicate that the new care programme isPO is well accepted by most patients during the first three months of their care. However, this does not apply for all patients. Further findings may help to optimise the new programme. The care programme isPO is well accepted by most cancer patients as they feel supported according to their needs. Understanding why patients aren’t satisfied, might lead to programme optimisation.