Introduction:
Cancer impacts the physical and psychological well-being of the patient, their families, and caregivers. Despite evidence supporting the integration of mental health services (MHCS) to improve access and clinical outcomes for cancer patients, a comprehensive understanding of MHCS utilisation patterns and associated factors remains limited. This study examines MHCS utilisation patterns among cancer patients in Queensland, Australia.
Methods:
Using a linked administrative dataset (Cancer CostMod), which includes all cancer diagnoses (n = 106,751) in Queensland from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2015, each record from the Queensland Cancer Registry (QCR) was linked to corresponding Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) records from 1st July 2011 to 30th June 2018. Descriptive analyses explored MHCS use among adults aged ≥18 years. A generalized linear regression model with a negative binomial distribution and log link (p < 0.05) was used to examine associations between demographic characteristics and MHCS use.
Results:
Only 21% of cancer patients utilised MHCS. Among MBS claims, psychologists accounted for the highest proportion (36.7%), followed by psychiatrists (31%), general practitioners (30%), and other allied health workers (2.6%). Greater MHCS use was associated with being younger (aged 18–49 vs ≥50 years) (RR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.48–1.55), female (vs male) (RR: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.09–1.17), non-First Nations (vs First Nations) (RR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.18–1.50), residing in metropolitan (vs regional and remote) areas (RR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.28–1.50), and living in less disadvantaged (vs most disadvantaged) areas (RR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.23–1.45). MHCS use increased over time since diagnosis (RR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.19–1.21).
Conclusion:
This study highlights a concerning underutilisation of MHCS and reveals significant disparities in its use among cancer patients. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to ensure equitable access to mental health support for all cancer patients.