Assessment of Unmet Supportive Care Needs in Haematological Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Background: Health needs assessment is crucial for the provision of individualized nursing care. However, many<br />patients report a significant number of unmet needs. The aim of the present study was the assessment of self-reported<br />unmet supportive care needs among haematological cancer survivors in Greece. Methods: 102 patients (mean age 66.2<br />years old) diagnosed with haematological cancer were included in a cross-sectional study, conducted in two major Greek<br />public hospitals, between October and December 2016. Patients' needs were assessed using the ‘Needs Evaluation<br />Questionnaire' (NEQ). Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software for<br />Windows. Alfa-level (p-value) selected was 5%, bootstrap techniques were used for 95% CI estimation, χ2 was used for<br />differentiation control and Kuder-Richardson coefficient for reliability score assessment (ρ = 0.922). Results: Patients<br />reported higher needs levels “to receive less commiseration from other people" (48%), “more information about my<br />future condition" (44.1%) and “to feel more useful within my family" (42.2%). In contrast, patients reported lower<br />levels to the needs “to speak with a spiritual advisor" (11.8%), “to have more help with eating, dressing and going to<br />the bathroom" (13.7%) and “better attention from nurses" (18.6%). The mean score of satisfied patients (≥8/10) was<br />8.9 (SD 1.7). Associations between socio-demographic, hospitalization data and unmet needs groups were identified.<br />The less satisfied patients (<8/10) reported more informational needs about their diagnosis and their future condition<br />(p-value=0.002), about their exams and treatments (p-value=0.001), communicative (p-value <0.001), assistance<br />and treatment (p-value<0.001) and hospital infrastructure (p-value <0.001). Conclusion: Various factors seem to be<br />associated to the prevalent unmet care needs among haematological cancer patients. Establishing NEQ as a routine<br />needs assessment tool could aid health professionals to early identify patients' needs in a busy clinical setting and<br />implement more individualized and patient-centered quality care.