title: Do advanced cancer patients in Denmark receive the help they need? A nationally representative survey of the need related to 12 frequent symptoms/problems.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate the adequacy of help delivered by the healthcare system for 12 symptoms/problems in a national, randomly selected sample of advanced cancer patients in Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  Advanced cancer patients (n = 1630) from 54 hospital departments across Denmark received the 3-Levels-of-Needs Questionnaire (3LNQ). The 3LNQ measures 'problem burden', the degree to which a symptom or problem is perceived as a problem, and 'felt need', whether the patient receives adequate help. Prevalences were calculated for 'problems' (at least 'a little' of a problem), 'moderate/severe problems' (at least 'quite a bit' of a problem) and 'felt need' (inadequate help or no help despite wanting it).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 977 (60%) patients participated. The most frequent 'problems' were fatigue (73%; 'moderate/severe' 36%) and limitations doing physical activities (65%; 'moderate/severe' 36%). For the 12 symptoms/problems assessed the prevalence of 'felt need' was 11-35%. Of the patients who had received help, 34-74% viewed the help as inadequate. Of those who had not received help, 48-78% wished for help.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced cancer patients are not receiving the help they need. Large proportions of patients were burdened by symptoms/problems. Of those who had received help, many viewed it as inadequate. Better symptom/problem identification and management is warranted for advanced cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: The Research Unit, Department of Palliative Medicine, Bispebjerg Hospital 20D, Copenhagen, Denmark. ajoh0005@bbh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: Anna Thit
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: Morten Aagaard
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pedersen
authors.forename: Lise Jul
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Houmann
authors.forename: Mogens
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Groenvold
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology