Psychoonkologische Interventionen für Patientinnen und Patienten in der Palliativsituation: Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM)

Managing Cancer and Living Meaningfully (CALM) is a manualised, semi-structured, short-term psychotherapeutic intervention designed specifically for patients with advanced cancer in an individualized setting, comprising 3–6 individual sessions. CALM encompasses four dimensions, which are tailored to the patient’s needs and state of health: (1) symptom management and communication with healthcare providers, (2) changes in self and relations with close others, (3) sense of meaning and purpose, and (4) the future, hope, and mortality. The results of qualitative and quantitative studies on the effectiveness of CALM demonstrate that the intervention alleviates patients’ emotional distress, particularly in relation to depression and fear of death, and promotes psychological well-being. CALM addresses the psychosocial needs of cancer patients in palliative care and improves psychological well-being, preparation for the end of life, and overall quality of life.