Objectives/purpose
Emotional wellbeing is compromised yet under-addressed during cancer treatment. We aimed to explore how patients experience and perceive mental health support in outpatient oncology.
Sample and setting
Australian outpatients undergoing treatment for any solid tumour cancer completed a survey (n=82) with a subset completing an interview (n=14).
Procedures
A concurrent mixed methods design was used. Surveys explored distress, supports offered, and care preferences. Semi-structured interviews examined patient experience and provided deeper context to survey responses. Analyses were descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Results
In surveys, 86% of patients reported psychological distress since diagnosis, but only 63% were offered support. In interviews, patients highlighted quality of staff interactions as central to emotional care. Three major themes emerged: opening the door to conversations, recognising the psychological side of cancer, and relational dynamics in oncology. These factors acted as barriers or facilitators depending on how staff approached them in practice. Feeling listened to, known as a person, and treated with compassion was described as beneficial to mental health, even when mental health was not discussed directly. In contrast, rushed or transactional encounters were experienced as dismissive and unsupportive. These perceptions shaped whether patients felt safe to disclose distress or accept support, regardless of formal support systems.
Conclusion and clinical implications
Patients view emotional support as embedded in the way care is delivered, not only in formal referrals or screening. Willingness to engage with mental health care often depends on perception of staff attitudes, empathy, and presence. These interpersonal elements shape patient experiences of support and influence their likelihood of accessing support services. To meet psychosocial needs in oncology, efforts must focus on creating environments where human connection is prioritised. This includes supporting staff to provide emotionally attuned, patient-centred care and recognising these interactions as part of essential clinical work.