title: [The degree of coincidence between the needs of cancer patients and the answers in the statutes of associations and dedicated health services].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The research took place in the northern area of Emilia Romagna, and aimed at investigating the needs expressed by cancer patients and those included in the goals of health services and associations dedicated to cancer disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 22 cancer patients (12 females and 10 males, mean age 55.36 +/- 10.7) through a semi-structured interview. Twenty-five Organizational Regulations and 17 Health Card Services of institutions dedicated to cancer disease were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The basic needs of cancer patients are rarely economic, legal, material and more often medical and psychological (e.g. psychological support, medical care and equal treatment, continuity of care in hospital and at home and information about diagnosis and treatment). The health services focus on the fulfillment of the needs of self-determination, dignity and respect for people, information on diagnosis and treatments, and of psychological support. The associations provide help through activities geared towards ensuring socialization opportunities (need for aggregation and company), support patients and their family and aim to be a connection in the continuity of care between hospital and home.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While the aims of health services and associations are oriented to respond to many basic needs, some remain still unmet and others are not adequately considered (eg. need to return to daily lives). The offer, aimed to fulfill these need, could be enhanced through a network of synergistic partnerships between health services, citizenship and associations.
authors.affiliation: Azienda Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova di Reggio Emilia.
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Copelli
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foà
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Devincenzi
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fanfoni
authors.forename: Rossella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prandi
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puddu
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Silvano
authors.forename: Giovanna
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Artioli
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mancini
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006296:Health Services / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D009938:Organizations