Supportive Care Needs Assessment for Cancer Survivors at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Middle East: Mending the Gap

Abstract

Background: Cancer survivors are often underprepared for what to expect post-treatment, and there are knowledge gaps regarding cancer survivors' supportive care needs in Jordan and neighboring Arab countries. This study aimed to identify gaps in supportive care needs among adult cancer survivors seen at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, and explore predictors of unmet needs.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study using a modified version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey 34 item short form (SCNS-SF34).

Results: Two hundred and forty adult cancer survivors completed the study questionnaire. The assessed needs were highest in the financial domain, including covering living expenses, managing cancer treatment adverse effects and co-morbidities. The least prevalent reported needs were in sexuality and reproductive consultations. Late-stage diagnosis was independently associated with higher physical, psychological, health system/information, financial and overall need scores, with p-values of 0.032, 0.027, 0.052, 0.002 and 0.024, respectively. The overall quality of life score was independently and inversely associated with physical, psychological, health system/information, financial and overall need domains, with p-values of 0.015, <0.0001, 0.015, 0.004 and 0.0003, respectively.

Conclusions: This needs assessment identified problem areas for targeting interventions across the Jordanian cancer survivor population, and understanding these findings highlights opportunities for intervention to address gaps in care.

Keywords: Arab population; cancer survivors; needs assessment; quality of life; supportive care.