What is it about?
Integrated Behavioral Medicine programs within cancer centers remain uncommon. Health psychologists work on multidisciplinary medical teams to aid with diagnostic formulation, especially when diagnoses are uncertain and may be complex due to multiple health issues compounded by psychological factors. This article highlights the effective use of Behavioral Medicine clinicians in determining appropriate diagnosis in a complex oncology case.
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Why is it important?
Integrated Behavioral Medicine services in oncology care allows for comprehensive evaluation and treatment of patients who are very often suffering subsequent symptoms of depression, anxiety, or are possibly impacted by premorbid psychological or psychiatric factors. This case report highlights the higher level of care that can be achieved when Behavioral Medicine clinicians are consulted to weigh in on complex medical cases where psychological components play a role. Patients will benefit with more accurate diagnoses, treatment planning, and, ultimately quality of life and treatment outcome as a result.
Perspectives
As the Director of a Behavioral Medicine program that is embedded within a comprehensive cancer center, I realize the value of working collaboratively with our medical colleagues not only in diagnostic formulation but in symptom management, adjustment, disease knowledge, or end-of-life process. The benefit is derived from the true collaboration that exists with Behavioral Medicine integration, where health psychologists are part of the treatment team, as opposed to being simply a referral source outside of the cancer center. Providers can work together for patient benefit, combining medication with behavioral pain management or sleep management for example. In this case, the complexity of the interplay between medical and psychological issues required a team approach which resulted in improved and tailored patient-centered care.
Dr Cori E McMahon
Cooper University Hospital
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Utilization of Behavioral Medicine Services to Refine Medical Diagnostic Formulation in the Face of Uncertain Symptom Presentation, Case Reports in Oncology, August 2016, Karger Publishers,
DOI: 10.1159/000447553.
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