Table 2 Some unmet supportive care needs of individual item of SCNS-SF 34 among the study sample
Some unmet supportive care needs | N (%) |
|---|---|
Physical | Â |
 Pain | 65 (55.6) |
 Lack of energy/tiredness | 67 (57.3) |
 Feeling unwell a lot of the time | 68 (58.1) |
 Work around the home | 45 (38.5) |
 Not being able to do the things you used to do | 43 (36.8) |
Psychological | Â |
 Anxiety | 65 (55.6) |
 Feeling down or depressed | 76 (65.0) |
 Feelings of sadness | 81 (69.2) |
 Fears about the cancer spreading | 89 (76.1) |
 Worry that the results of treatment are beyond your control | 76 (65.0) |
 Uncertainty about the future | 92 (78.6) |
 Learning to feel in control of your situation | 55 (47.0) |
 Keeping a positive outlook | 60 (51.3) |
 Feelings about death and dying | 80 (68.4) |
 Concerns about the worries of those close to you | 76 (65.0) |
Sexuality | Â |
 Changes in sexual feelings | 40 (34.2) |
 Changes in your sexual relationships | 41 (35.0) |
 Being given information about sexual relationships | 25 (21.4) |
Patient Care | Â |
 More choice about which cancer specialists you see | 53 (45.3) |
 More choice about which hospital you attend | 42 (35.9) |
 Reassurance by medical staff that the way you feel is normal | 38 (32.5) |
 Hospital staff attending promptly to your physical needs | 35 (29.9) |
 Hospital staff acknowledging, and showing sensitivity to, your feelings and emotional needs | 45 (38.5) |
Health System Information | Â |
 Being given written information about the important aspects of your care | 14 (12.0) |
 Being given information (written, diagrams, drawings) about aspects of managing your illness and side-effects at home | 32 (27.4) |
 Being given explanations of those tests for which you would like explanations | 35 (29.9) |
 Being adequately informed about the benefits and side-effects of treatments before you choose to have them | 27 (23.1) |
 Being informed about your test results as soon as feasible | 14 (12.0) |
 Being informed about cancer which is under control or diminishing (that is, remission) | 24 (20.5) |
 Being informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well | 21 (17.9) |
 Having access to professional counselling (e.g. psychologist, social worker, counsellor, nurse specialist) if you, family or friends need it | 17 (14.5) |
 Being treated like a person not just another case | 25 (21.4) |
 Being treated in a hospital or clinic that is as physically pleasant as possible | 20 (17.1) |
 Having one member of hospital staff with whom you can talk to about all aspects of your condition, treatment and follow-up | 16 (13.7) |