Is There a Difference in Unmet Supportive Care Needs Between Older and Younger Outpatients Receiving Chemotherapy?

2021 ◽  
pp. 082585972110442
Author(s):  
İrem Ayvat ◽  
Azize Atli Ozbas

Objective: This study investigated whether there was a difference in unmet supportive care needs between older and younger cancer patients who receive chemotherapy. Background: Physiological, physical, cognitive, and social functions, which play a key role in coping with cancer, are impaired due to aging. Age-related physiological changes and psychosocial factors and comorbid medical conditions make some of the needs of older cancer patients unique and complex. At the heart of meeting these needs lies the concept of supportive care. First step of meeting their needs is to determine these needs. Study Design and Methods: The study was conducted in the Daytime Treatment Unit of the oncology hospital of a university in Ankara, Turkey. The study sample consisted of 93 patients aged 65 years or older and 93 patients under 65 years of age. Both groups were similar in terms of sex, cancer type, and chemotherapy protocols. Data were collected using a Patient Information Form and Supportive Care Needs Scale-Short Turkish Version and analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis H test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: Participants had a median total score of 1.92. Their “daily life needs” and “sexuality needs” subscale scores were highest and lowest, respectively. Older patients had lower median total scores than younger patients. Younger patients had higher median “health care and information needs” and “sexuality needs” subscale scores than older patients. Conclusion: Elderly patients reported fewer unmet needs than younger patients. This may be due to age-related cultural factors as they may have difficulty expressing their needs. Implications: Results suggest to focus on the fact that patients' needs change with age and that they have difficulty expressing their needs.

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. e034178
Author(s):  
Gek Phin Chua ◽  
Hiang Khoon Tan

ObjectivesTo qualitatively interpret the information and supportive care needs perceived by cancer patients undergoing treatment in order to get a deeper appreciation of patients’ needs and concerns. The intended outcome is to provide baseline knowledge for improving patient-centred strategies to better meet the information and supportive needs of patients.DesignA qualitative research approach, based on conventional content analysis, was used throughout the research process. The three open-ended questions obtained from a previous quantitative study guided the researchers to explore the information and supportive care needs of patients. Data from patients’ responses were analysed and coded in themes.Participants and settingPatients attending the Ambulatory Treatment Unit of the National Cancer Centre Singapore were invited to participate in the study. We determined from these subjects the type of information that cancer patients need, and to measure the extent to which these information needs are met by measuring patients’ level of satisfaction. Included in the quantitative study were three open-ended questions designed to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and concerns. All subjects were aged 21 years and above and able to understand and communicate in English/Mandarin. They were also aware of their diagnosis, they were not cognitively impaired and were not at the end-of-life situation.ResultsA variety of information and supportive care needs were identified, and three specific areas of concerns were identified: (1) psychosocial and supportive care needs, (2) information needs and (3) information delivery by professionals.ConclusionThe information and supportive care needs expressed were consistent with issues of cancer patients undergoing treatment. The strategies to improve patients’ coping abilities through patient-centred care are discussed. Further studies assessing the barriers of information provision by healthcare professionals should provide more detailed knowledge about unmet information needs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (11) ◽  
pp. 1464-1475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brooke Swash ◽  
Nick Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Ros Bramwell

Despite high levels of psychological distress, there is a scarcity of research on unmet supportive care needs in haematological cancer patients. This qualitative study used an in-depth interpretative phenomenological approach to investigate the needs reported by six non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients and explored how these needs consequently shaped the patient experience. Emergent themes included the following: concerns for family, information needs and the need for psychological support. Participants reported feeling different to other cancer patients. Lack of understanding of their diagnosis by friends and family and lack of access to relevant support services are notable unmet needs that differ from previous findings.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e21646-e21646
Author(s):  
Mary Pasquinelli ◽  
Sandra Obilade ◽  
David Rosenberg ◽  
Zane Deliu ◽  
Aakash Shah ◽  
...  

e21646 Background: Identifying and addressing depression, anxiety, and supportive care needs in cancer patients is an emerging standard of care. The Coleman Foundation “Patient Screening Questions for Supportive Care” tool was used with demographic and diagnostic data to investigate the relationships between screening scores. Methods: Lung/head/neck cancer patients at the University of Illinois Cancer Center were screened using the Coleman Foundation tool. This screening tool identified needs in several categories including Patient Health Questionnaire 4 (PHQ-4) scores; practical, family/caregiver, nutritional, treatment, physical, and spiritual/faith/religious concerns; levels of pain, fatigue, physical activity to quantitatively assess patient distress/supportive care needs. Scores were compared with age, sex, race/ethnicity, insurance, cancer type, and cancer stage. Linear regression was used for statistical analysis. Results: We performed initial screening on 164 lung/head/neck patients ages 36-88 (mean 61), with stages IA to IVC (May 2016 to Jan. 2017). Our findings are summarized in below. We found a 1oeffect that racial/ethnic minority status was significantly correlated with higher scores. We found that lung cancer was correlated with higher screening scores than head & neck on initial screen. Medicare insurance was correlated with significantly lower screening scores. Conclusions: Patients with lung/head/neck cancer have significant needs and concerns that go beyond merely treating their cancer. Our findings show that certain demographic groups have especially high burdens in some specific dimensions and that these specific concerns may be predicted based on diagnostic and demographic information. Thus, these findings serve to inform providers as to where and how to focus supportive care for these patient populations. [Table: see text]


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Okamura ◽  
Maiko Fujimori ◽  
Ayako Sato ◽  
Yosuke Uchitomi

Abstract Background Young adult cancer patients often face unique challenges and have potential unmet needs. This study aimed (1) to describe unmet supportive care needs among young adults with cancer in Japan, and (2) to identify its associated factors. Methods In a cross-sectional web-based survey, 206 young adults with cancer were assessed for supportive care needs. Multiple regression analysis examined whether demographics, clinical variables and social support were associated with unmet supportive care needs. Results A total of 206 patients (180 female) with a mean age of 33.7 years (SD = 4.3, range: 22–39) participated. One hundred and fifty-eight participants (76.7%) reported at least one unmet supportive care needs. The top 20 unmet needs included 9 of the 10 psychological needs, 3 of the 5 physical and daily living needs, 8 of the 11 health system and information needs and 1 of the 5 sexuality needs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived poorer PS, experience of change in work/school after a cancer diagnosis and poor social support were significantly associated with higher supportive care needs. The total score of supportive care needs was significantly associated with both psychological distress and QOL. Conclusions More than 70% of young adult cancer patients reported unmet supportive care needs and most of those were psychological needs. The findings suggest potential opportunities for intervention in addressing psychological needs rather than physical and information needs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 258 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.E. Giuliani ◽  
R.A. Milne ◽  
M. Puts ◽  
L.R. Sampson ◽  
J.Y.Y. Kwan ◽  
...  

PurposeIn the present work, we set out to comprehensively describe the unmet supportive care and information needs of lung cancer patients.Methods This cross-sectional study used the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34 (34 items) and an informational needs survey (8 items). Patients with primary lung cancer in any phase of survivorship were included. Demographic data and treatment details were collected from the medical charts of participants. The unmet needs were determined overall and by domain. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with greater unmet needs.Results From August 2013 to February 2014, 89 patients [44 (49%) men; median age: 71 years (range: 44–89 years)] were recruited. The mean number of unmet needs was 8 (range: 0–34), and 69 patients (78%) reported at least 1 unmet need. The need proportions by domain were 52% health system and information, 66% psychological, 58% physical, 24% patient care, and 20% sexuality. The top 2 unmet needs were “fears of the cancer spreading” [n = 44 of 84 (52%)] and “lack of energy/tiredness” [n = 42 of 88 (48%)]. On multivariable analysis, more advanced disease and higher MD Anderson Symptom Inventory scores were associated with increased unmet needs. Patients reported that the most desired information needs were those for information on managing symptoms such as fatigue (78%), shortness of breath (77%), and cough (63%).Conclusions Unmet supportive care needs are common in lung cancer patients, with some patients experiencing a very high number of unmet needs. Further work is needed to develop resources to address those needs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masako Okamura ◽  
Maiko Fujimori ◽  
Ayako Sato ◽  
Yosuke Uchitomi

Abstract Background: Young adult cancer patients often face unique challenges and have potential unmet needs. This study aimed (1) to describe unmet supportive care needs among young adults with cancer in Japan, and (2) to identify its associated factors.Methods: In a cross-sectional web-based survey, 206 young adults with cancer were assessed for supportive care needs. Multiple regression analysis examined whether demographics, clinical variables and social support were associated with unmet supportive care needs.Results: A total of 206 patients (180 female) with a mean age of 33.7 years (SD=4.3, range: 22-39) participated. One hundred and fifty-eight participants (76.7%) reported at least one unmet supportive care needs. The top 20 unmet needs included 9 of the 10 psychological needs, 3 of the 5 physical and daily living needs, 8 of the 11 health system and information needs and 1 of the 5 sexuality needs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived poorer PS, experience of change in work/school after a cancer diagnosis and poor social support were significantly associated with higher supportive care needs. The total score of supportive care needs was significantly associated with both psychological distress and QOL.Conclusions: More than 70% of young adult cancer patients reported unmet supportive care needs and most of those were psychological needs. The findings suggest potential opportunities for intervention in addressing psychological needs rather than physical and information needs.


2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 2132-2140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Pérez-Fortis ◽  
Joke Fleer ◽  
Maya J. Schroevers ◽  
Patricia Alanís López ◽  
Juan José Sánchez Sosa ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110391
Author(s):  
Sujana H Chowdhury ◽  
Bilkis Banu ◽  
Nasrin Akter ◽  
Sarder M Hossain

Background Breast cancer survivor goes through a period of needs in their post-treatment daily life. Relatively few studies have been conducted to understand the unmet needs among breast cancer survivors in Bangladesh. Recognize and measure patterns and predictors of unmet needs of breast cancer patients was the aim of the study. Objective To identify and measure patterns and predictors of unmet needs of breast cancer patients in Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study among 138 breast cancer patients; conveniently selected from two public and two private cancer institutes. Face-to-face interview for data collection and medical record review for checklist was done. Unmet needs have been determined by the supportive care needs survey short form 34 scale. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the predictors of unmet needs. Results The study indicated the top 10 moderate-to-high needs; among which the top five needs were from the information need domain. Surprisingly, private cancer treatment centers were identified as a significant predictor for unmet needs. Patients from private cancer institutes reported more explanation needs as well as needs with their physical and daily living and sexuality. Furthermore, the type of treatment like patient receiving combine treatment therapy reported more need for help compared to the patient receiving chemotherapy alone. Moreover, housewives reported the low need for patient care and support systems as a result of their reluctant behavior towards their health. Conclusion Individual’s unmet need assessment should be a part of every treatment protocol of breast cancer for a better treatment outcome.


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