Supportive care needs in patients with lung cancer.
BACKGROUND
The goal of this study was to characterize the prevalence and intensity of supportive care needs and interest in specific supportive care services among individuals with lung cancer.


METHODS
Participants (n=109) were recruited from two medical centers in Southern California to complete questionnaires on physical and psychological functioning following diagnosis of lung cancer.


RESULTS
Participants reported the greatest need in the physical and daily living domain, followed by psychological needs, health system and informational needs, and patient care support needs. The most common unmet need was a lack of energy and tiredness (75%). Higher levels of supportive care needs were associated with worse physical functioning (beta=-0.30, p<0.001), greater symptom bother (beta=0.25, p=0.008), lower satisfaction with health care (beta=-0.24, p=0.002), and higher levels of intrusive thoughts about cancer (beta=0.40, p<0.001). The sample was most interested in receiving additional information about their disease and treatment (61.0%), exercise-related information and support (54.3%), and assistance dealing with fatigue (46.7%). Over 91% expressed interest in at least one specific supportive care service, and 51.4% were interested in one or more psychological services.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that lung cancer survivors have many unmet needs. Patients who report higher physical distress and intrusive stress symptoms, or lower satisfaction with their health care, may experience the highest level of supportive care need and intervention.
Department of Psychology, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA.
Sharon L
SL
Sanders
Erin O
EO
Bantum
Jason E
JE
Owen
Andrea A
AA
Thornton
Annette L
AL
Stanton
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010809:Physical Fitness; D015995:Prevalence; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012042:Registries; D055752:Small Cell Lung Carcinoma / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015996:Survival Rate