BACKGROUND: Cancer patients in Germany are often faced with financial distress associated with their illness, which can impair their quality of life and cause additional distress. Psychosocial counseling centers perceive an increasing demand for counseling, but do not have standardized guidelines for the structuring of counseling on this topic. The aim of the study is to develop a guideline for assessing financial distress and to conduct a pilot in a social services setting.

METHODS: Requirements for the guideline were identified in a focus group with social work professionals. The counseling guideline was then developed and tested in a social service facility. The guideline was evaluated using n = 7 semi-structured interviews and finalized based on the feedback.

RESULTS: The focus group confirmed the need for a short, practical tool for structuring counseling sessions on financial distress. A flexible guideline was then developed that considers the professionals' discretion. The guideline was rated positively in the evaluative interviews, particularly regarding its practicality and conversation structure. Criticism mainly focused on its length, which led to a further revision and shortening of the guideline.

DISCUSSION: The usability of the interview guide depends on its acceptance by counselors and a clear definition of its scope of application, taking into account the course of illness and social benefits. Using it early on after diagnosis and during relevant transitions will help with the identification of financial distress. Addressing both objective and subjective financial distress makes it possible to identify specific support needs during counseling.

CONCLUSION: The guideline can contribute to structured counseling for cancer patients experiencing financial distress, improve the quality of care, and raise social awareness of the issue.