The utility of videoconferencing to provide innovative delivery of psychological treatment for rural cancer patients: Results of a pilot study

The unmet psychological needs of rural cancer patients are numerous. Telepsychology is a novel and feasible option that may provide cost-savings and help overcome inequalities in access to specialists. This is the first known study of psychological treatment for people with cancer delivered entirely via videoconferencing. We hypothesized that a telepsychology service would improve rural cancer patients' anxiety and depression levels and quality of life, and would be an acceptable, satisfactory, and practical mode of service delivery. Twenly-five cancer patients attended an average of three sessions with a clinical psychologist providing brief cognitive-behavioral therapy. Questionnaires were completed at pre-, post-, and 1-month follow-up. Patients benefited in terms of anxiety (P = 0.01) and quality of life (P = 0.04). The service was both practical and acceptable. These preliminary positive results provide a firm basis to conduct a randomized controlled trial of face-to-face interaction vs. videoconferencing.