Practice requirements for psychotherapeutic treatment of cancer patients in the outpatient setting-A survey among certified psychotherapists in Germany.

Objective: The aim of this study was to delineate the challenges that psychotherapists encounter when they treat cancer patients and how they organise their practices to be able to treat them.

Methods: A random sample of certified psychotherapists, licensed by the health authorities, with training in psycho-oncology, was asked to complete a questionnaire covering the following issues: therapists' qualifications, organisation of the practice, dealing with appointment cancellations, financing, and networking. Practices with ≥50% cancer patients in their patient load were defined as "practices specialising in cancer" (PSC) and were compared to practices with a smaller proportion of cancer patients (non-PSC).