A Study of Mental Health Care in People With Cancer

Mental Health Care Initiation Intervention for Older Adults With Cancer

The purpose of this study is to look at mental health services for adults with depressed mood who were diagnosed with cancer at the age of 65 or older. This study will compare the usual approach for connecting older adults with depressed mood to mental health services with the Open Door for Cancer (OD-C) approach. We will find out if the OD-C approach is practical and useful for cancer patients who participate in the intervention and for providers who see or treat cancer patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients

• Per medical record and/or self-report, diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, or prostate cancer at age 65 years or older

• Per medical record and/or self-report, undergoing active cancer treatment (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery) or within six months of completing treatment

• Score of ≥5 on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)

• Per self-report, fluent in English** ** Language verification: Prior to enrollment, patients will be asked the following two questions by a Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) to verify English fluency necessary for participation in the study:

  1. How well do you speak English? (must respond "very well" or "well" when given the choices of Very well, Well, Not well, Not at all, Don't know, or Refused)
  2. What is your preferred language for healthcare? (must respond English)

Providers

• Per self-report, works in oncology, nursing, social work, psychology, or psychiatry
• Per self-report, currently works in oncology at least 50% of the time
• Per self-report, provided cancer care for at least three years at time of consent
• Per self-report, fluent in English

Exclusion Criteria:

Patients

• Severely cognitively impaired as demonstrated by Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration scores of ≥ 11
• Per research staff judgment and/or self-report, too ill or weak to complete study procedures
• Per medical record and/or self-report, receiving hospice care at the time of enrollment
• Per medical record and/or self-report, currently enrolled in mental health treatment

Providers

• N/A