Herrmann, Anne and Mansfield, Elise and Tzelepis, Flora and Lynagh, Marita and Hall, Alix (2020) Use of the supportive care framework to explore haematological cancer survivors' unmet needs: a qualitative study. BMC HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, 20 (1): 1062. ISSN , 1472-6963
Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)Abstract
BackgroundSome sub-types of haematological cancers are acute and require intensive treatment soon after diagnosis. Other sub-types are chronic, relapse over many years and require life-long cycles of monitoring interspersed with bouts of treatment. This often results in significant uncertainty about the future, high levels of depression and anxiety, and reduced quality of life. Little is known about how to improve care for haematological cancer survivors. This study explored qualitatively, in a sample of haematological cancer survivors, (i) their unmet needs experienced as a result of their disease and treatment; and (ii) strategies that may help address these needs.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adult haematological cancer survivors. Data was analysed using qualitative content analysis. The Supportive Care Framework guided data collection and analysis.ResultsParticipants had a mean age of 57years (SD 13). Most were male (n=10, 59%). Five themes emerged from the data: (i) changes in unmet needs across the care trajectory (with greatest unmet needs experienced soon after diagnosis, at discharge from hospital and with cancer recurrence); (ii) informational unmet needs requiring improved patient-centred communication; (iii) uncertainty about treatment and the future; (iv) coordinated, tailored and documented post-treatment care planning as a strategy for optimal care delivery; and (v) ongoing support services to meet psychosocial and practical unmet needs by involving peer support, less bureaucratic transport services and flexible work arrangements.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first qualitative investigation using the Supportive Care Framework to explore unmet needs of haematological cancer survivors. Our findings offer fresh insights into this important area of study. Written, take-home care plans which provide simple but tailored guidance on where to seek additional support may help decrease uncertainty and feelings of vulnerability post-treatment for adult haematological cancer survivors. Future research should further develop and test strategies aimed at addressing unmet needs of haematological cancer survivors identified in this study.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ACUTE MYELOID-LEUKEMIA; UNDERSTANDING DISTRESS; LYMPHOMA SURVIVORS; MULTIPLE-MYELOMA; PATIENT; PREVALENCE; COMMUNICATION; PERSPECTIVES; EXPERIENCES; MANAGEMENT; Haematological cancer; Survivorship; Unmet needs; Content analysis; Patient-centred care |
| Subjects: | 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine |
| Divisions: | Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Innere Medizin III (Hämatologie und Internistische Onkologie) Medicine > Institut für Epidemiologie und Präventivmedizin |
| Depositing User: | Dr. Gernot Deinzer |
| Date Deposited: | 08 Mar 2021 07:46 |
| Last Modified: | 08 Mar 2021 07:46 |
| URI: | https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/43334 |
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