Cancer rehabilitation: psychosocial rehabilitation needs after discharge from hospital?
OBJECTIVE
This study explores former cancer patients' psychosocial rehabilitation needs after hospital discharge.


METHODS
Three focus-group interviews with 15 patients.


RESULTS
Five main areas were identified: (1) Need for continuous support and information about rehabilitation opportunities; (2) Support to the family; (3) Psychological help also addressing fear of relapse of cancer; (4) Needs for social support; (5) Needs pertaining to how friends and acquaintances relate to the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Each of these aspects should be carefully considered for each patient, preferably by one assigned healthcare provider. Fear of cancer relapse prevails among the patients, the family and the social network and it is important in relation to psychosocial rehabilitation.
Mikkelsen
Thorbjørn H
TH
The Research Unit for General Practice, University of Aarhus, Denmark. thm@alm.au.dk
Søndergaard
Jens
J
Jensen
Anders Bonde
AB
Olesen
Frede
F
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005194:Family Practice; D017144:Focus Groups; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000523:psychology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology
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