This study aimed to estimate the effects of a supportive care program on the posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs) of patients with oral cancer after surgery. Participants were divided into two groups. Outcome measurements included the Chinese version of the Davidson trauma scale to examine PTSSs at a clinical follow-up 1 week (T0), 1 month (T1), and 3 months (T2) after hospital discharge. The results indicated that the frequency and severity mean scores of PTSSs for the two groups at T0 were significantly higher than those at T1 and T2. Both the groups and times were significantly different; moreover, the supported group's PTSS score decreased more than that of the nonsupported group. These findings supported the effects of the supportive care program. Health care staff should be aware of the PTSS status of patients with oral cancer who undergo surgery and consider these issues in combination with patients' discharge care plans.
Keywords: oral cancer; posttraumatic stress; supportive care.