Immediate help through group therapy for patients with somatic diseases and depressive or adjustment disorders in outpatient care: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: One in three people with a chronic somatic disease suffer from a comorbid mental disorder. Most common comorbidities are depressive, anxiety and adjustment disorders. These lead to an increase in morbidity and mortality, and a deterioration of quality of life and healthcare costs.

Correlates of reduced exercise behaviour in depression: the role of motivational and volitional deficits.

Objective: The study aimed at uncovering the correlates of reduced exercise in depressive patients. On the basis of the Health Action Process Approach (Schwarzer, 2011 ), we hypothesised that reduced exercise in depressive patients can be explained by motivational deficits and volitional deficits.

Design: A longitudinal sample of 56 clinically depressive outpatients was compared to a sample of 56 parallelised non-depressive controls.

Patients' needs and experiences at breast cancer diagnosis: how perceived threat influences the physician-patient interaction.

Physician-patient interaction at breast cancer diagnosis can only succeed if physicians know what patients want. To investigate patients' needs and experiences we conducted semistructured interviews with eight patients. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed according to grounded theory and a typological approach.

Communication matters: the impact of communication and participation in decision making on breast cancer patients' depression and quality of life.

Objective: This study explored the impact of breast cancer patients' experiences of physician-patient communication and participation in decision making on patient depression and quality of life three and six months after primary treatment.

Methods: Participants were 135 German breast cancer patients, recruited within a week after the beginning of treatment. Women were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire at baseline and three and six months later.

Information and decision making: patients' needs and experiences in the course of breast cancer treatment.

Objective: This study explored breast cancer patients' preferences and experiences in receiving information and decision making in the course of the first 6 months of cancer treatment.

Methods: Participants were 135 German breast cancer patients, recruited within a week of either surgery or the beginning of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. Women were asked to complete a self-explanatory questionnaire at baseline and 3 and 6 months later.

Concordance between patients' desired and actual decision-making roles in breast cancer care.

This study explored breast cancer patients' preferences and experiences for participation in treatment decision making as well as the concordance between patients' actual and desired decision making. The interplay between depression, anxiety and decision-making preferences was also examined.A consecutive sample of primary breast cancer patients was recruited within a week of either surgery or the beginning of neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in two breast cancer centres in Germany.

Results of a randomized study of telephone versus in-person breast cancer risk counseling.

Objective: Women of all risk levels have reported high interest in obtaining genetic testing for breast cancer risk. Breast cancer risk counseling may help women to learn about their risk and appropriate options of testing. This study measured the effects of an intervention in-person and by telephone, compared to a control group.

Application of the protection motivation theory to genetic testing for breast cancer risk.

Background: Many women, even women at low risk, are interested in genetic testing for breast cancer risk. However, the test has little to offer for women at low to moderate risk. We applied the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) to investigate predictors of women's motivation to obtain such a test.

Patient preferences of decision-making in the context of genetic testing for breast cancer risk.

Purpose: We conducted a study on women's preferred physician involvement in the decision to obtain genetic testing for breast cancer risk.

Methods: Women from a primary care physician network completed a telephone survey and a written baseline questionnaire.

Results: The majority preferred to make up their own minds.