Utility of Routine Psychological Screening in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Clinic

This study examined the utility of routine psychologic screening in a childhood cancer survivor clinic. During their annual clinic visit, 101 adult survivors completed the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised as well as the Short Form 36, the Beck Depression Inventory, & one additional suicide question. Suicidal symptoms were reported in 13.9% of the sample. 8 subjects reported suicide ideation alone, 5 reported current ideation & past attempt, & one subject reported a past attempt & no current ideation. Medical record review revealed there was no documentation of suicide ideation or attempt for any of these subjects. All 14 cases were Symptom Checklist-90 case-positive. (52 refs.)