title: Patient and caregiver needs in oncology. An Italian survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cancer is a disease that has far-reaching consequences for patients and their families. The present study targets unmet caregiver needs so that better support can be provided and planned for.
  
  
  METHODS
  The first phase of the study was to conduct a survey designed to explore basic needs (medical and nursing information, psychological support, social welfare). The survey also investigated the caregiver's personal details (age, sex, degree of kinship). The survey was distributed to caregivers coming to the day hospitals of the 4 oncology departments involved in the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 137 relatives of cancer patients completed the survey. Among the explored needs, the most recurrent was the availability of a doctor who provides full information on the treatment choices. A further important request was for consistency between the information provided by doctors and that provided by other health-care workers, with specific reference to a patient-centered approach that can be easily and fully understood, available therapeutic options especially at home, and prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed that the need for exhaustive and simple information provided by a referral physician is still an unmet need in the Internet age.
authors.affiliation: Clinica di Oncologia Medica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona - Italy.
authors.forename: Rossana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Berardi
authors.affiliation: Clinica di Oncologia Medica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona - Italy.
authors.forename: Zelmira
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ballatore
authors.affiliation: Clinica di Oncologia Medica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona - Italy.
authors.forename: Weruska
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bacelli
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Profili, Fabriano (Ancona) - Italy.
authors.forename: Rosa Rita
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Civile, Senigallia (Ancona) - Italy.
authors.forename: Ettore Tito
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Menichetti
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Civile, Senigallia (Ancona) - Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marcellini
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Profili, Fabriano (Ancona) - Italy.
authors.forename: Monia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duca
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale Urbani, Jesi (Ancona) - Italy.
authors.forename: Giusi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giacomini
authors.affiliation: U.O. Oncologia, Ospedale di Civitanova, Civitanova Marche (Macerata) - Italy.
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marilungo
authors.affiliation: Clinica di Oncologia Medica, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona - Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cascinu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce