Perceptions and Use of Clinical Practice Guidelines in Psychosocial Oncology—A Pan-Canadian Survey of Mental Health and Social Service Professionals

Rising cancer incidence and survival rates have led to an unprecedented demand for psychosocial care. Yet, limited financial and practical resources present a barrier to the provision of evidence-based care. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are well-positioned to enhance the quality and efficiency of psychosocial oncology care; however, little is known about their use and perceptions in the field. The present study explored the use and perceptions of CPGs among 172 Canadian psychosocial oncology clinicians via a cross-sectional, online survey. Findings revealed substantial variation in awareness, with over 20% of participants reporting no familiarity with CPGs, and low to moderate use of CPGs (M = 2.97, SD = 2.96) among users. Key barriers included a lack of formal training, limited applicability to local contexts, and systemic constraints such as high workloads. Conversely, participants highly endorsed facilitators, including accessible training programs, relevant tools/interventions, and greater institutional and community engagement. Clinician perspectives are paramount to the dissemination and implementation of psychosocial oncology CPGs. Our findings suggest that successful implementation requires broader accessibility, widespread adaptation, and greater community engagement. By addressing these systemic constraints, CPGs may be better positioned to bridge the gap between evidence and real-world service provision.