Objective:In China over the past decade,psychosocial oncology has emerged as a new program. Development of this program requires attention to current opportunities,obstacles and cultural concerns. Methods: A selected ...Objective:In China over the past decade,psychosocial oncology has emerged as a new program. Development of this program requires attention to current opportunities,obstacles and cultural concerns. Methods: A selected literature review of academic papers in Chinese and English language journals and web sites was analyzed for themes regarding the current status,challenges,and opportunities for psychosocial oncology in China. Results: China’s national cancer strategy (2004-2010),based on WHO guidelines,is focused on cancer prevention and treatment,as well as quality of life among cancer patients and their families. The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is now funding research,training and international collaboration in psychosocial oncology. The newly organized Chinese Psychosocial Oncology Society,founded in 2006,aims to provide a national forum for psychosocial oncology research. Cultural and systemic challenges to establishing psychosocial oncology as a core discipline in China include: (1) the family’s desire to ‘protect’ cancer patients by with-holding cancer-related information; (2) stigma and privacy regarding mental health issues; (3) biomedical practitioners’ claims that psychosocial on-cology is not sufficiently evidence-based; and (4) limited funding for psychosocial oncology care and research. Conclusion: The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) is considered a valuable resource towards China’s interest in partnering with the international psychosocial oncology community to enhance the discipline globally.展开更多
文摘Objective:In China over the past decade,psychosocial oncology has emerged as a new program. Development of this program requires attention to current opportunities,obstacles and cultural concerns. Methods: A selected literature review of academic papers in Chinese and English language journals and web sites was analyzed for themes regarding the current status,challenges,and opportunities for psychosocial oncology in China. Results: China’s national cancer strategy (2004-2010),based on WHO guidelines,is focused on cancer prevention and treatment,as well as quality of life among cancer patients and their families. The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association is now funding research,training and international collaboration in psychosocial oncology. The newly organized Chinese Psychosocial Oncology Society,founded in 2006,aims to provide a national forum for psychosocial oncology research. Cultural and systemic challenges to establishing psychosocial oncology as a core discipline in China include: (1) the family’s desire to ‘protect’ cancer patients by with-holding cancer-related information; (2) stigma and privacy regarding mental health issues; (3) biomedical practitioners’ claims that psychosocial on-cology is not sufficiently evidence-based; and (4) limited funding for psychosocial oncology care and research. Conclusion: The International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS) is considered a valuable resource towards China’s interest in partnering with the international psychosocial oncology community to enhance the discipline globally.
