Predictors of Referral for Specialized Psychosocial Oncology Care in Patients With Metastatic Cancer: The Contributions of Age, Distress, and Marital Status

Abstract

Routine referral of patients with metastatic cancer for psychosocial oncology care was predicted by presence of more severe depressive symptoms, younger age, and unmarried status. The rate of referral progressively declined with each decade of age, even among those with significant distress. These findings are consistent with some aspects of Andersen's model of health care utilization. The extent to which referred patients represent those who are most likely to benefit deserves further investigation.