Page 171 - EJMO-9-3

Eurasian Journal of
Medicine and Oncology Psychological care for cancer patients

significant predictors (p<0.05) of the perceived quality element in evaluating service quality. Additionally, there
of psychological services provided to cancer patients. is a possibility of positive self-assessment bias, where
The overall model explained 41% of the variance in some practitioners may inadvertently rate the services
psychotherapist competence, suggesting a moderate level they provide more favorably than is warranted, potentially
of predictability. However, the model accounted for only affecting the objectivity and accuracy of the results.
16% of the variance in communication skills, indicating This study is also characterized by several
a weaker predictive relationship in this domain. This may methodological aspects that enhance its reliability. Foremost
suggest that the work environment and academic levels among these is the use of standardized instruments with
of psychotherapists affect both their competence and the established psychometric validity and reliability, ensuring
quality of psychological care provided. While effective the rigor and consistency of the measurements. Moreover,
communication is necessary for high-quality care, it the inclusion of a specialized sample of psychotherapists
appears to be inadequate on its own. Other critical factors, with direct experience in providing care to cancer patients
such as emotional intelligence, professional experience, lends the findings professional depth and contextual
and institutional support, likely play an important role accuracy. The study also bridges a notable research gap in
in psychological service effectiveness. Hence, further the Arab context by addressing the quality of psychological
research is warranted to develop a comprehensive model services from the perspective of their providers in a sensitive
of psychological care. medical context. However, there are some limitations to
The results of the above study are consistent with a consider. The study’s reliance on self-reported data may
number of previous studies that confirmed the importance introduce social desirability and response biases, potentially
of psychotherapists’ competence in the success of affecting the objectivity of the responses. Additionally, the
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psychological interventions for cancer patients. For cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal
example, it was reported that psychotherapist competence relationships between variables. Limiting the sample to
significantly enhances patient health, reducing psychological specialists from a specific academic background may limit
distress by 40%. Additionally, delivering effective, evidence- the generalization of results. Furthermore, the absence of
based care increases patient adherence and satisfaction by patient perspectives limits the comprehensiveness of the
approximately 30%. Similarly, the integration of deep evaluation.
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learning-assisted psychotherapy enhanced psychotherapist
competence and improved treatment outcomes by 20%. 4.2. Future implications and perspectives
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Competent psychotherapists also contribute to enhancing The findings of this study offer several important directions
emotional resilience in cancer patients receiving palliative for future practice and research. Institutions can utilize
care by 25%. Moreover, high psychotherapist competence these results to enhance communication skills training and
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is associated with a 50% improvement in treatment success develop self-efficacy among mental health professionals
and emotional stability. One of the expected contributions working with cancer patients. This aligns with existing
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of this study is to improve the quality of psychological care by evidence that effective communication improves
ensuring it is more efficient and responsive to patient needs. psychological outcomes and patient satisfaction. Future
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Our findings highlight the strengths and developmental research should explore patient perspectives directly, as the
needs of psychotherapists, offering valuable insights for therapeutic alliance has been shown to significantly impact
training and professional development programs. treatment outcomes. 12,20 Investigating the congruence
between specialist evaluations and patient satisfaction
4.1. Strengths and limitations could yield deeper insights into service quality. Additional
One of the notable strengths of this study lies in its focus predictive factors, such as emotional intelligence,
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on the quality of psychological support for cancer patients, organizational support, psychotherapists’ years of
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an important yet often neglected aspect of comprehensive service, and psychological resilience, warrant further
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cancer care. Through the opinions of psychotherapists, evaluation to refine predictive models and improve clinical
the study offers a realistic and professionally grounded effectiveness. Moreover, longitudinal studies are needed
assessment of the nature and quality of services provided. to assess the sustained impact of psychotherapists’ skills
The findings provide valuable insights that can be used to on long-term patient well-being, complementing recent
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develop training programs and improve work environments findings on the durability of psychotherapy outcomes. By
in health institutions. However, a key limitation of grounding future research in these established areas, the
the study is its exclusive reliance on professionals’ psychological care provided to cancer patients can become
perspectives, which may overlook the lived experiences more patient-centered, comprehensive, and evidence-
and satisfaction levels of patients themselves—a crucial based.

Volume 9 Issue 3 (2025) 163 doi: 10.36922/EJMO025110054