Hanlon, Charlotte(BM, BS, MRCPsych, Msc, Phd)Worku, Benyam (MD, Assistant professor of Psychiatry)Abrha, Aynalem (MD, Internist, Oncologist, Palliative care advisor)Ayers, Nicola(RN, BSc, MSc, PhD, Palliative care advisor)Mekasha, Bethelhem2021-04-112023-11-052021-04-112023-11-052018-11http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/26046Background: Significant numbers of people with cancer develop mental health problems at different stages of the disease.Psychological/psychiatric treatment is part of palliative care that is given to people with cancer to make them be able to deal with their problem individually and as a family. The Oncology unit atTASRHis known to be the only cancer referral center in the country. Published data done in Ethiopia were not found on how health care professionals in the oncology units understandassess or address mental health needs of people with cancer and the obstacles they encounter. Objective: This study aims to explore the clinicians‟ perspective of mental health needs of people with advanced cancer and the strategies clinicians use to assess and address those needs in TASRHOncology follow-up clinic. Method: An exploratory qualitative research design was employed and participants were selected purposively based on years of experience. Data was collected, transcribed in Amharic, translated to English and then analyzed through thematic analysis. The study was conducted at TASRH, October 2018. Results: Majority of the participants reported to notice some mental health problems in patients with cancer but have some difficulty to identify symptoms and provide first line treatments. All participants stated that it is advantageous for patients to know about their illness. Participants also suggest the disadvantages patients from knowing about their illness is mainly due to the ways of information delivery. The increased number of patients visiting the clinic on daily basis was a major obstacle. Conclusion:Timely and accurate diagnosis of co morbid mental disorders and addressing psychosocial factors is required to increase quality of life of people with cancer.en-USMental Health,CancerThesis