Psycho-oncological healthcare needs of patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Background. In non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) more than 50 subtypes with different disease severity and therapy burden are known. Psycho-oncology is hardly able to provide evidence-based care for all these subtypes. Even prevalence data on anxiety and depression are only known for the larger groups of indolent and highly malignant NHL subtypes and are by no means epidemiologically confirmed. Therefore, a professional needs assessment, which leads to a well-founded determination of healthcare needs even for patients with very rare NHL subtypes, is of great importance in hematology/oncology. As a result of the National Cancer Plan and the S3 guideline on psycho-oncology, the demands placed on psycho-oncological care have increased. The healthcare system uses the term objective needs if this has been scientifically determined and in the quality required by the profession. The assessment of psychooncological care needs of patients with NHL subtypes must take this into account. Material and methods. A selective literature search was conducted on anxiety and depression in NHL and on the appropriateness of needs assessment in healthcare and in psycho-oncology. Results. Despite insufficient data on anxiety and depression in various rare NHL subtypes, according to the available data there is an increased need for psycho-oncological healthcare in these groups of patients. In order to determine the needs also for the very rare NHL subtypes, a concept for a scientifically founded determination of healthcare needs is necessary. Conclusion. In hematology/oncology the National Cancer Plan requirement to adequately determine the psycho-oncological healthcare needs for all cancer patients and therefore including all NHL subtypes, can be met.