Investigating the Psychosocial and Supportive Care Needs of Adult Cancer Patients Through a Patient-Based Needs Assessment

Authors

Urvi A. Patel, MPHc, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Amy Leader, DPH, MPH, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Alison Petok, MSW, LCSW, MPH, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Presentation

Publication Date

11-16-2018

Comments

Presentation: 4:04

Abstract

Cancer patients have a wide array of psychosocial and supportive care needs that are related to their quality of life. It is unclear if all of their needs are being identified in clinical settings. The present study identifies the specific needs and other quality of life issues that are most important to patients at the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center (SKCC). Adult patients with an active cancer diagnosis that were currently undergoing/had treatment at the SKCC and were diagnosed more than three months ago were recruited to participate in a survey, or both a survey and an interview. Surveys and interviews were completed in person. Fifty cancer patients were recruited as participants for the questionnaire and a subset of twelve patients agreed to be interviewed. There was approximately an equal distribution of males (54%, n=27) and females (46%, n=23) with a majority of patients in the 51-65 age range (44%, n=22). The survey data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, specifically frequency and percentages, ANOVA and independent samples t-test. To analyze the interview data, we used a content analysis approach, first identifying patterns, themes, and developing category systems though open coding. From the survey, we learned that patient perceived needs were highest in physical domain (31%), followed by psychosocial (27%), finance/work (18%), spiritual (13%), medical interaction (7%), and transportation (4%). From the interviews, we learned that family, religion, supportive care programs/services and personal characteristics, such as extracurricular activities, feelings/behavior, and outlook, ameliorated patient’s supportive care needs. We discuss the specific programs/services patients identified as most beneficial, any gaps or barriers to accessing the services currently provided and provide recommendations for future interventions.

Recommended Citation

Patel, MPHc, Urvi A.; Leader, DPH, MPH, Amy; and Petok, MSW, LCSW, MPH, Alison, "Investigating the Psychosocial and Supportive Care Needs of Adult Cancer Patients Through a Patient-Based Needs Assessment" (2018). Master of Public Health Capstone Presentations. Presentation 276.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/mphcapstone_presentation/276

Language

English