Perceived unmet needs and health-related quality of life of Chinese cancer survivors at 1 year after treatment.

BACKGROUND

Although advanced cancer treatments prolong survivors' lives, a significant proportion experienced poorer health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than general populations. Identifying their needs is essential to develop a health service delivery model to improve patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to examine the perceived unmet needs and HRQoL of Chinese cancer survivors who completed treatment less than 1 year ago.

METHODS

Three hundred seventy-six participants completed a self-report survey: the 34-item Supportive Care Needs Survey, the supplementary module of access to healthcare and ancillary support services, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy: General. Descriptive statistics were used to examine the prevalence of unmet needs. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to identify participants' characteristics that were associated with unmet needs. Multiple linear regression was used to delineate which domains of unmet needs were significantly associated with HRQoL with adjustment for potential confounding factors.

RESULTS

Healthcare information was the most common unmet needs among the survivors. Age, stage of cancer, and remission were significantly associated with 1 or more unmet need domains. Participants with unmet needs in physical, psychological, and patient care domains, on average, have poorer HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Chinese cancer survivors have various unmet needs that might have adverse effects on their HRQoL. Younger age, more advanced stages of cancer, and remission were factors contributing to further unmet needs.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The results provided useful information on the special needs of survivors that may affect their HRQoL, enabling clinicians to plan better how to allocate existing limited resources to those who most require them.