Screening for distress: a role for oncology nursing

Purpose of review Interest in screening for distress in cancer patients has escalated in recent years. Despite widespread acknowledgement that screening ought to occur in daily practice, relatively few examples of successful programs exist. Recent findings Evidence about the need for identifying psychosocial distress is clear and there are suitable tools available to perform the screening. However, understanding about the complexities of implementing a practically sound and relevant program is still unfolding. Concerted and consistent efforts are required to achieve success in screening for distress and realize relevant outcomes. Summary This article outlines a review of recent literature on screening for distress and the role of oncology nursing. Significant developments in the field of screening for distress in cancer are highlighted and on-going controversies are described. Suggestions for future research and clinical practice are presented.