The Prevalence and Nature of Supportive Care Needs in Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

PurposeIn the present work, we set out to comprehensively describe the unmet supportive care and information needs of lung cancer patients. MethodsThis 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. 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%). ResultsConclusions 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.

Unmet needs and opportunities for improving care for patients with advanced lung cancer on targeted therapies: a qualitative study

“…Patients desire both providers and cancer treatment centres that are up-to-date with advances in the field and treat them as whole persons. Our findings regarding unmet needs and improving healthcare experiences are consistent with the literature on needs of patients with cancer 18 19 21–24. Further, our study provides an in-depth account regarding this new group of patients with cancer as they survive longer than initially anticipated.…”

“…The landscape of cancer care, in general, has shifted in the past few decades. What has become salient are issues related to long-term side effects and consequences of treatment, the early detection of relapse or secondary tumours and addressing patients’ unmet needs 17–19. Smith reviewed 11 qualitative and quantitative papers on the supportive care needs of patients living with different cancers and found informational support to be a significant need 18.…”

“…However, studies focused on the patients with advanced lung cancer are limited. In one study, Giuliani et al surveyed 80 Canadian patients with lung cancer (median age 71) to explore their unmet needs 19. Four out of five patients reported at least one unmet need.…”

Information needs of patients with lung cancer from diagnosis until first treatment follow-up

“…Some studies, including a systematic review [ 6 ], have demonstrated supportive care needs among patients with lung cancer; however, most studies have not addressed their needs over time [ 6 – 8 ] or just focused on the advanced stage or palliative radiotherapy [ 9 ]. Halkett et al [ 10 ] indicated that the information needs of patients differed during various stages of treatment and recommended continually confirming the information needs of patients throughout four stages of treatment: at the initial physician consultation, at the joint development of the follow-up treatment plan, at the initial treatment, and on completion of treatment.…”

“…As evidenced by the literature, each treatment stage requires the development of new therapeutic goals, thereby resulting in different patient information needs. In addition, examining information needs over time is important and has been recommended in several studies [ 7 – 8 ]. Therefore, to provide information that actually meets the needs of patients, healthcare personnel should consider the individual needs of patients and make assessments accordingly [ 13 ].…”