Page 166 - EJMO-9-3

Eurasian Journal of
Medicine and Oncology Psychological care for cancer patients

2. Materials and methods ethical approval was obtained from the Scientific Ethics
Committee at the university (approval no. 16/53253) on
2.1. Study design
July 17, 2024. Informed consent was obtained electronically
The present study used a descriptive (comparative) approach before participants accessed the questionnaire. No
to assess the quality of psychological services provided to identifying information was collected, and the data was
cancer patients from the perspective of psychotherapists. used solely for academic research purposes.
Their opinions were gathered using two standardized
tools: the Psychotherapist’s CSS and the Psychotherapist’s 2.2. Study tools
Self-Efficacy Scale. The study aimed to predict the quality The main variables of the study were derived from
of these services based on psychotherapists’ assessments the participants’ responses on two standardized tools:
and to determine the levels of these variables within the the Psychotherapist’s CSS and the Psychotherapist’s
target group, without the need for long-term tracking that Self-Efficacy Scale. Each scale consists of multiple
could delay timely data collection. subdimensions, with scores calculated as the average of
The reporting of this predictive study adhered to responses for the items in each subdimension. Reverse-
transparent reporting of a multivariable prediction model coded items were adjusted before calculation to ensure
for individual prognosis or diagnosis (TRIPOD) guidelines consistent response orientation. The mean value was
to ensure clarity, transparency, and completeness in used instead of the total, as the number of items varied
presenting the study methods and findings. 31 between dimensions. Variables were treated as continuous,
enabling appropriate statistical analyses such as regression.
The study sample consisted of licensed psychotherapists
working in various psychiatric service centers, including This approach preserved the original structure of the
mental health clinics, psychological counseling centers, scales and ensured an accurate representation of the study
and hospitals that provide psychiatric care to individuals concepts. To ensure the validity of the study tools and
with chronic diseases, especially cancer patients. The their proper use in the local context, the initial version of
participants were mainly selected from a group of graduate the questionnaire was presented to five experts in clinical
students enrolled in a graduate psychology program psychology, measurement, and educational evaluation to
at a Saudi university, most of whom were practicing in assess the relevance, clarity, and cultural and linguistic
relevant clinical or consulting settings. This group was appropriateness of the items. Based on their feedback,
selected based on their direct involvement with providing necessary adjustments were made to the language and
psychological services to patient groups with chronic style to enhance clarity and participant comprehension.
diseases, including cancer. A random sample of qualified The study tools were then tested on a pilot sample of 30
psychotherapists was invited to participate in the study participants from the same study population; their data
through an online questionnaire distributed via Google were excluded from the final analysis. This step ensured the
Forms. Before starting the questionnaire, participants questionnaire was clear, unambiguous, and not repetitive
were given a clear explanation of the study objectives while also assessing initial psychometric properties.
and the variables assessed. The questionnaire consisted The questionnaire begins by collecting basic
of closed questions with clear answer options to ensure information about the participant, including gender,
clarity and ease of understanding. The questionnaire was workplace, specialization, years of professional experience,
logically divided into sections, starting with demographic and academic level. The questionnaire proceeded with
information, followed by measures assessing professional evaluating the communication skills and self-efficacy
communication skills and self-therapist competence. of the participants, structured into three main sections:
A total of 381 responses were collected; however, only (1) Demographic information, which includes gender,
329 responses were included in the final analysis after workplace, specialization, years of professional experience,
excluding incomplete entries. The participants met the and academic level; (2) the Health Professionals (HP)
following inclusion criteria: (i) agreement to participate in CSS, assessing four subdimensions—Informative
the study, (ii) specialization in psychological sciences and Communication, Empathy, Respect and Authenticity, and
provision of psychological services at the centers involved Social Skills; and (3) the therapist self-efficacy scale (T-SES)
in the study, and (iii) reading and understanding the includes six core dimensions: communicative effectiveness,
study objectives and instructions before completing the clinical competence, intrapsychic competence, relational
questionnaire. competence, affect regulation, and diagnostic skills.
This study was conducted in accordance with ethical The questionnaire proceeded with evaluating the
standards regulating human research. Before data collection, communication skills and self-efficacy of the participants.

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2025) 158 doi: 10.36922/EJMO025110054