Unmet needs for information and support of cancer patients and carers: a structured questionnaire study




Tiirola, Heli; Poutanen, Veli-Matti; Auvinen, Päivi; Tyynelä-Korhonen, Kristiina; Vornanen, Riitta; Pylkkänen, Liisa

PublisherPolicy Press

2024

International Journal of Care and Caring

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARE AND CARING

9

1

163

182

2397-8821

2397-883X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1332/23978821Y2024D000000035

https://doi.org/10.1332/23978821Y2024D000000035

https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/393560278



We examine the unmet needs for information and support of cancer patients and carers. A questionnaire study was performed among patients (n = 135) and carers (n = 73) at Kuopio University Hospital, Finland. Data are analysed using SPSS 27 by t-test, cross-tabulation and cluster and variance analyses. Patients and carers received less support than information. Older and less-educated individuals and males had more unmet needs. Carers received less information and support than patients. Carers expressed unmet needs particularly when they had limited opportunities to discuss with healthcare professionals. Individual needs of patients and carers should be addressed throughout the cancer care pathway.


The authors received no financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.


Last updated on 2025-25-04 at 09:27