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Osowiecka K, Szwiec M, Dolińska A, Gwara A, Kurowicki M, Kołb-Sielecki J, Działach E, Radecka W, Nawrocki S, Rucińska M. Unmet non-medical needs of cancer patients in Poland: a quantitative and qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:183. [PMID: 38388767 PMCID: PMC10884169 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08387-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer itself and its treatment have a multifaceted impact on patients' daily lives. The aim of the study was to determine unmet non-medical needs among Polish cancer patients. METHODS Survey research using a 23-item Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was carried out among 1062 cancer patients from different regions of Poland. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. RESULTS The quantitative analysis showed that 48% of the NEQ items (11/23) were expressed as unmet needs by at least half of patients. Unmet information needs were indicated by patients most often: information about their diagnosis, exams, treatment, future condition, funding and economic support. Cancer patients would like to get more attention from medical staff. Unmet needs were most frequently expressed by respondents who were men, with a lower level of education, living in village, pensioners. Qualitative analysis showed that each need may be understood in a variety of different ways across the cohort. Some patients added comments that the completing NEQ helped them to notice their non-medical needs. CONCLUSION Polish cancer patients have some unmet non-medical needs, especially informative needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Marek Szwiec
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Anna Dolińska
- Psychology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital in Zielona Gora, Zyty 26, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Anna Gwara
- Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Science, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Marcin Kurowicki
- NU-MED Radiotherapy Center in Elblag, Królewiecka 146, 82-300, Elblag, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kołb-Sielecki
- Department of Oncology, The Center for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Jagiellońska 78, 10-357, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Eliza Działach
- Departament of Public Health, Faculty of Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902, Bytom, Poland
| | - Weronika Radecka
- Department of Anatomy, University of Opole, Kopernika 11a, 45-040, Opole, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Nawrocki
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228, Olsztyn, Poland
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Osowiecka K, Kurowicki M, Kołb-Sielecki J, Gwara A, Szwiec M, Nawrocki S, Rucińska M. Is It Possible to Notice the Unmet Non-Medical Needs among Cancer Patients? Application of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire in Men with Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:3484-3493. [PMID: 36975477 PMCID: PMC10047714 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Lung cancer causes not only physical symptoms related to the disease itself and its treatment but also numerous mental, social and spiritual problems. The aim of the study was to assess non-medical needs among male lung cancer patients during oncological treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 160 men (mean age 67 years) treated for lung cancer from June 2022 until November 2022 in 5 oncological centers in Poland. The Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was used. The NEQ explores five areas of patients’ needs: informative, connected with assistance/care, relational, material and psycho-emotional support. Results: All participants (except one) expressed some unmet non-medical needs (mean and median 11). Male lung cancer patients indicated informative needs most frequently. There were no significant differences between expressed unmet needs based on age, place of residence, professional activity or marital status. Conclusions: The NEQ seems to be a proper instrument to explore the non-medical needs of cancer patients. Adequate measures to address the unmet needs of lung cancer patients could contribute to an improved quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-518-711-334
| | - Marcin Kurowicki
- Department of Radiotherapy, NU-MED Radiotherapy Center in Elblag, Królewiecka 146, 82-300 Elblag, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kołb-Sielecki
- Department of Oncology, The Center for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Jagiellońska 78, 10-357 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Gwara
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Marek Szwiec
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Nawrocki
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
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Zahorski W, Marek K, Kujawska A, Zacharewicz M, Gwara A, Kubicka J, Końca A. [Evaluation of the state of health of the employees of an iron-rolling mill]. Pol Tyg Lek 1970; 25:993-6. [PMID: 5449558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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