Background
People with melanoma experience high rates of distress, depression and anxiety. While clinical practice guidelines recommend that psychological interventions be made available to all melanoma patients, access is impeded by staff availability and expertise, service cost, stigma and patients’ competing demands. To address these barriers to psychosocial support, the Melanoma Institute Australia (MIA) developed an integrated psycho-oncology service under the pillar of clinical care.
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of, and consumer satisfaction with, MIA’s Clinical Psychology Service (CPS).
Methods
Established in August 2021, the MIA CPS is philanthropically funded, staffed by two clinical psychologists, and available to MIA patients free of charge, three days per week. All people engaging in a course of therapy at the CPS are being invited to participate in the study during the 12-month recruitment period. Based on the anticipated participation rate of 80%, we expect to have a sample size of 80 as we receive, on average, 100 referrals/year.
This study has a mixed-methods longitudinal design. Standardised measures of distress, depression, anxiety, stress, quality of life, and coping/self-efficacy are being used as psychosocial outcomes. Quantitative data is being collected via surveys at baseline, post-treatment and at three-month follow up. Service satisfaction is being assessed using a purpose-developed Client Satisfaction Survey. Service parameters data is being accessed from the clinical file by the treating psychologist.
Results
Since its inception, the MIA CPS has received 565 referrals and delivered 1190 psychotherapy sessions. Most referrals come from Medical Oncology and are for patients with advanced melanoma (Stage III-IV), and with high levels of distress. The Service Evaluation Project was launched in July 2025 and is currently recruiting participants. This poster will provide an overview of results to date.
Conclusion
Service evaluation data is lacking in the melanoma context, and these findings will be used to improve Clinical Psychology service delivery at MIA and inform other psycho-oncology services that are being developed.