The provision of psychological care for patients with mesothelioma and their caregivers: an Italian survey

Our plain-English summary of The provision of psychological care for patients with mesothelioma and their caregivers: an Italian survey, by A. Granieri, I.G. Franzoi, M.D. Sauta, et al (Frontiers in Public Health, 2026).

The study

• Authors: A. Granieri, I.G. Franzoi, M.D. Sauta, F. Barbagli, C. Mensi, A. Marinaccio, M. Bonafede
• Journal: Frontiers in Public Health
• Published: 2026;14:1879469
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher · Free full text

Abstract

Background: Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive tumor that profoundly affects patients and caregivers. However, few studies address psychological interventions for this population, either nationally or internationally. This study therefore aims to map the current state of psychological care provided by the Regional Operating Centers. (CORs) of the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry and other health and welfare facilities in Italy.

Methods: The survey lasted approximately 15 min.

Results: The final sample includes 15 CORs and 57 other facilities. Among them, 66.7% (n = 10) of CORs and 5.3% (n = 3) of other facilities lack a psychologist. Only one COR includes a psychologist at diagnosis, compared to 12.9% of other facilities. Psychological interventions are offered by only 25% of all centers. Where psychologists are present, 100% of respondents consider them useful; in their absence, 45.5% of CORs and all other facilities consider their inclusion valuable. Interventions for mesothelioma patients and families are provided in two of four CORs and in 37 of 52 other facilities with a psychologist. In seven facilities, interventions target only patients, and in three, they are specific to this population of patients and caregivers.

Conclusions: Although national and international guidelines emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary care for mesothelioma patients and their families, many still lack adequate support. Closing this gap is urgent, as most healthcare professionals recognize the value of such integration-both when they experience it and when it is absent in their workplace.

Copyright © 2026 Granieri, Franzoi, Sauta, Barbagli, Mensi, Marinaccio and Bonafede.

In plain English

This was a survey of psychological care for people with mesothelioma and their caregivers in Italy. Between July 2022 and December 2024, researchers interviewed staff by telephone. The sample was 72 of the 341 facilities contacted: 15 Regional Operating Centers (CORs) of the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry and 57 other health and welfare facilities. A psychologist was present in 26.6% of CORs (4 of 15) and 91.2% of other facilities (52 of 57). Psychological interventions were offered by 2 of the 4 CORs with a psychologist and by 37 (71.1%) of the 52 other facilities with one. Among those 37 facilities, 7 offered interventions to patients only, and 3 (8.1%) offered interventions designed specifically for mesothelioma. A psychologist was present when the diagnosis was communicated in the one COR that communicated diagnoses, and in 4 of the 31 other facilities that did so. Every respondent from a facility with a psychologist considered the psychologist useful. The authors concluded that psychological interventions are still not always offered. They noted that the small, voluntary sample may not represent all Italian healthcare settings.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Descriptive cross-sectional survey, carried out as researcher-administered telephone interviews using an ad hoc semi-structured questionnaire, with frequency analysis
• Who was studied: Healthcare professionals answering for 72 Italian facilities, out of 341 contacted: 15 Regional Operating Centers (CORs) of the Italian National Mesothelioma Registry and 57 other health and welfare facilities. Data were collected from July 2022 to December 2024.
• Exposure: Not applicable. The study surveyed the psychological care services available to mesothelioma patients and caregivers; it did not study asbestos exposure.
• Main results:
  • A psychologist was present in 26.6% of CORs and 91.2% of other facilities
  • Psychological interventions were provided in 50% of CORs with a psychologist (2 of 4) and 71.1% of other facilities with a psychologist (37 of 52)
  • In 18.9% of the other facilities providing interventions (7 of 37), interventions were provided only to patients
  • Interventions developed specifically for mesothelioma patients and caregivers were offered in only 8.1% of the other facilities providing interventions (3 of 37)
  • A psychologist was present during diagnosis communication in the single COR that communicated diagnoses, and in 4 (12.9%) of the 31 other facilities that communicated diagnoses
  • Psychological distress and needs assessment tools were used in about half of the CORs and other facilities that had a psychologist
  • All CORs and other facilities with a psychologist considered the psychologist useful. Among facilities without a psychologist, 45.5% of CORs and 60% of other facilities considered one useful.
  • The outcome or process of psychological interventions was evaluated in about half of the CORs and other facilities that provided them
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that psychological interventions are still not always offered to mesothelioma patients and their caregivers, but that where a psychologist is present, other healthcare professionals recognize the psychologist's usefulness. They called for national health policies that include psychologists in multidisciplinary teams and for standardized psycho-oncological protocols.
• Limitations the authors state:
  • The cross-sectional design and reliance on self-report data
  • The construct validity of the items was not assessed, and no external experts helped define them
  • Telephone interviews and digital forms may have introduced response biases, such as social desirability and acquiescence bias
  • Because few facilities took part, the findings may not apply to all Italian healthcare settings
  • Possible selection bias, because participation was voluntary and facilities more interested in psychological care may have been more likely to respond
  • The design does not allow causal inferences or assessment of changes over time

Topics

The National Library of Medicine indexes this study under subjects our site covers: Mesothelioma.

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Mesothelioma.

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