Healthcare Providers’ Perspectives of the Supportive Care Needs of Women with Advanced Breast Cancer in Ghana

PurposeThe study sought to understand the supportive care needs of women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) from the perspectives of healthcare professionals (HCPs) and key informants of charitable/non-governmental organisations (NGOs), that provide supportive care services to women with advanced breast cancer, in Ghana.MethodsA qualitative descriptive approach was employed via one-to-one semi-structured interviews with 13 HCPs and key informants of charitable/NGOs in Ghana that provide supportive care services to women with advanced breast cancer. The study was underpinned by Bradshaw’s taxonomy of social needs and Fitch’s supportive care framework. The data were analysed using a deductive content analysis approach.ResultsHealthcare providers and key informants perceived that women with ABC in Ghana have numerous and complex supportive care needs in key areas that align with Fitch’s supportive care framework, including informational, psychological, emotional, physical, practical, social, sexuality and spiritual needs.ConclusionParticipants perceived that women who have ABC in Ghana require ongoing information about their condition, treatments and related effects, as well as spiritual support and guidance particularly due to the fatalistic beliefs they often associate with the condition. Tailored supportive care interventions and services, which address the unique sociocultural circumstances for this cohort, are required. Additional research is needed to explore how multidisciplinary teams can work collaboratively to provide comprehensive support to women in addressing their needs.

Analysis of Supportive Care Needs and Related Factors of Colorectal Cancer Patients in China

Background: This study aimed to clarify the supportive care needs and related factors of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in China through investigation and study, and then provide a reference for the formulation of relevant interventions and ultimately improve their quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the oncology and radiotherapy departments of four first-class hospitals in Suzhou from January 2020 to September 2020. The survey tools included the general information questionnaire, Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in cancer for patients, M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, and Social Support Rating Scale. Spearman correlation analysis, univariate analysis, and multiple stepwise linear regression analysis were adopted to explore the influencing factors of supportive care needs.Results: A total of 403 CRC patients were included, with an average age of 58.83±10.86 years, including 257 males (63.77%); the average score of supportive care needs was 39.56±18.58, the scores of health care staff need and information needs ranked the top two. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the supportive care needs were positively correlated with symptom severity, symptom interference, anxiety, and depression. Univariate analysis displayed higher levels of supportive care needs among female, single/divorced/widowed, rectal cancer, and palliative care patients. Multiple stepwise regression analysis combining the results of correlation analysis and univariate analysis found that anxiety, symptom interference, symptom severity, and cancer type all affected the supportive care needs of CRC patients. The differences were significant, which can explain 35% of the variation.Conclusions: In the supportive care needs management of colorectal cancer patients, it is necessary to attach great importance to health care staff and information needs, focus on female, single/divorced/widowed, rectal cancer, and palliative care patients, and pay great attention to reducing the symptom burden, anxiety, and depression when formulating intervention strategies.

QOLP-30. LONG-TERM UNMET SUPPORTIVE CARE NEEDS OF TYA CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMOUR SURVIVORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

INTRODUCTION The supportive care needs of long-term childhood brain tumour survivors, now teenagers and young adults (TYAs), and their caregivers are largely unknown. TYAs are a unique patient cohort with specific challenges and vulnerabilities differing from children or older adults. We aimed to describe their supportive care needs and explore associations between needs and quality of life (QoL).This is the first study to collect quantitative data about needs in this survivorship group. METHODS Participants were recruited from long-term follow-up clinics (in three National Health Service Trusts in England) and online. Participants included childhood brain tumour survivors, ≥ 5 years from diagnosis, currently aged 13-30, and their primary caregivers. Survivors completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS) Short-Form and Paediatric Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Brain (Peds-FACT-Br). While caregivers completed the SCNS-Partners and Caregivers (SCNS-P&C) and the Caregiver Quality of Life Index–Cancer (CQOLC). RESULTS In total, 112 individuals (69 survivors/43 caregivers) participated. Survivors reported on average 9.4 (±8.5) unmet needs. Needs were greatest in the psychological domain, with anxiety (60.3%), uncertainty about the future (50.7%) and feeling down and depressed (48.5%) most commonly reported. Caregivers reported on average 12.4 (±12.3) unmet needs. Again, the greatest number of unmet needs were observed in the psychological domain. Many caregivers also reported information needs around financial support/government benefits (42.9%) and possible survivor fertility problems (42.9%). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that female survivors, unemployed survivors, survivors further away from diagnosis, and single caregivers were more likely to report unmet needs. More unmet needs were significantly associated with poorer QoL in survivors and caregivers. CONCLUSION This research provides leads to improving supportive care and long-term follow-up services. Psychological support appears to be the biggest gap in care. Understanding unmet needs and recognising what services are required is critical to improving quality of long-term survival.

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

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.

Long-term unmet supportive care needs of teenage and young adult (TYA) childhood brain tumour survivors and their caregivers: a cross-sectional survey

Introduction The supportive care needs of long-term childhood brain tumour survivors, now teenagers and young adults (TYAs), and their caregivers are largely unknown. We aimed to describe their supportive care needs and explore associations between needs and quality of life (QoL). Methods Participants were recruited from long-term follow-up clinics (in three NHS Trusts in England) and online. Participants included childhood brain tumour survivors, ≥ 5 years from diagnosis, currently aged 13–30, and their primary caregivers. Survivors completed the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS) Short Form and caregivers the SCNS-Partners & Caregivers, alongside validated QoL questionnaires (Peds-FACT-Br and CQOLC). Results In total, 112 individuals (69 survivors/43 caregivers) participated. Survivors reported on average 9.4 (± 8.5) unmet needs. Needs were greatest in the psychological domain, with anxiety (60.3%), uncertainty about the future (50.7%) and feeling down and depressed (48.5%) most commonly reported. Caregivers reported on average 12.4 (± 12.3) unmet needs. Again, the greatest number of unmet needs was observed in the psychological domain. Many caregivers also reported information needs around financial support/government benefits (42.9%) and possible survivor fertility problems (42.9%). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that female survivors, unemployed survivors, survivors further away from diagnosis and single caregivers were more likely to report unmet needs. More unmet needs were significantly associated with poorer QoL in survivors and caregivers. Conclusion This research provides leads to improving supportive care and long-term follow-up services. Psychological support represents the biggest gap in care. Understanding unmet needs and recognising what services are required are critical to improving quality of long-term survival.