Psychooncological care in Germany: Quality and quantity

Epidemiological data show that 40-50% of all cancer patients develop some k ind of psychosocial disturbancy during the course of their illness and abou t 30% will require professional support. Even if there exists a considerabl e body of knowledge and a differentiated health care system, the vast major ity of cancer patients have no chance to receive any proper psychosocial ca re due to the lack of facilities like psychosocial outpatient services in t he communities and specifically trained psychooncologists on oncology wards , whereas the number of psychooncologists in rehabilitation-clinics seems t o be sufficient, Psychooncological societies have established training courses and formulate d guidelines relating to some important aspects of psychosocial research an d practice, in order to promote good quality in the psychosocial care of ca ncer patients.