Holistic Needs for Patients with Cancer and Suggested Nursing Guidelines

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a significant concern for public health for millions of people worldwide and it claims thousands of lives. Meeting the needs of cancer survivors in the long term has become a significant concern for public health. This study aimed to assess holistic needs for patient with cancer and suggest nursing guidelines. Descriptive design was used on hundred patients with cancer admitted to viruses' outpatient unit, in Zagazig University Hospital before receiving chemotherapy. Patient Interview Questionnaire was used to assess patient condition including sociodemographic data, Patient knowledge about cancer, Needs of patient with cancer by scale based on quality of life. Results: Half of the studied patients had unsatisfactory knowledge about cancer while nearly three-quarters of the studied patients had high needs, the highest needs was for Psychological needs more than four-fifths of the studied sample followed by physical need about three quarter, near three quarter for spiritual needs, and above three fifth for socioeconomic needs. Conclusion: There was a statistical significant relation between patients' level of knowledge, total needs and their sociodemographic characteristics. In addition there was statistical significant relation between patients' total needs and their level of knowledge. Recommendation: conducting proposed protocol of patient's holistic needs management that's evidencedbased should be implemented and evaluated.