The Development of Comprehensive Stress Check for Patients (CSCP)

Abstract

In order to predict bio-psycho-social-existential problems that patients may face after hospital admission, we developed a check sheet : Comprehensive Stress Check for Patients (CSCP). CSCP enables doctors and therapists to see how patients perceive their physical health, and psychosocial and existential problems at an early hospitalization period. We carried out a pilot survey in the Division of Geriatrics and Hypertension in Osaka University Hospital, where we are based. A total of 102 inpatients completed CSCP. As a result of factor analysis, we determined that 3 factors contributed to their subjective stress : “existential value,” “psychological environment in hospital” and “subjective physical and mental symptoms.” In our previous studies, we have noted that psychotherapists played a role in facilitating the understanding of patients in order to promote a better relationship between doctors and their patients. As this study was a continuation of our past research, we intended to create a tool that would help psychotherapists to share their expertise to understand patients with doctors. A further study will be needed to utilize CSCP in the way that will allow doctors, therapists and patients to work together towards the creation of better hospital environment.