Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Provision of integrated, melanoma-specific clinical psychology services to patients attending outpatient specialist clinics at the Melanoma Institute Australia. (#424)

Lisa Gomes 1 2 , Skye Dong 1 2 , Claire Gore 1 2 , Iris Bartula 1 2 , Jake Thompson 1 2
  1. Melanoma Institute Australia, Wollstonecraft, NSW, Australia
  2. The University of Sydney, Sydney

Background: Australia is the melanoma capital of the world, with an age-standardised incidence rate over ten times that of the global average. In February 2022, the State of the Nation in Melanoma report1 identified supportive care and survivorship to be one of five priority areas requiring immediate action, with psychological support being a significant unmet need.

Aim: To provide integrated, melanoma-specific clinical psychology services to patients attending outpatient clinics at Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA).  

Method: The Clinical Psychology Service (CPS) was established in August 2021 to provide psychological support for MIA patients undergoing melanoma diagnosis, treatment and monitoring. This philanthropically-funded service provides short-term and free-of-charge psychology support to patients diagnosed with melanoma (any stage) and their family.

In addition to providing direct psychotherapeutic support to patients and their family, the CPS participates in weekly MDT meetings, presents community and professional educational seminars, and conducts research activities.

Results: Since its establishment, there have been 299 referrals to the CPS. Referrals to the CPS are received from specialists across MIA outpatient clinics and satellite sites.  Patients are offered face-to-face or telehealth appointments, with an average of three appointments attended by each patient.  Patients and their family commonly presented for support managing their adjustment to melanoma, anxiety, mood disturbance, stress, and grief and loss issues. Psychologists primarily utilise Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy approaches to treat presenting problems. At the conclusion of engagement with the CPS, patients were discharged as their goals were met or were assisted to connect with a community-based psychologist for ongoing therapy.

Conclusion: The CPS, one of the first of its kind in Australia, provides melanoma-specific, equitable, accessible support for patients and their family attending MIA outpatient specialist clinics. The CPS’ integration with MIA research and education pillars extends this service’s impact to the wider melanoma community.

  1. 1. Insight Economics, Melanoma Institute Australia, Melanoma Patients Australia. State of the nation: A report into melanoma - A national health priority 2022.