Table 3 Level of need for supportive care under five domains
Supportive Care Need | Level of need for help n (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
No need | Low | Mod | High | |
Health System and Information Needs Domain | ||||
 Being given written information about the important aspects of your care | 124 (36) | 74 (22) | 68 (20) | 77 (22) |
 Being given information (written diagrams, drawings) about aspects of managing your illness and side-effects at home | 125 (36) | 78 (23) | 65 (19) | 75 (22) |
 Being given explanation of those tests for which you would like explanations | 109 (32) | 75 (22) | 76 (22) | 83 (24) |
 Being adequately informed about the benefits and side-effects of treatments before you choose to have them | 115 (34) | 57 (17) | 69 (20) | 102 (30) |
 Being informed about your test results as soon as feasible | 100 (29) | 55 (16) | 61 (18) | 127 (37) |
 Being informed about cancer which is under control or diminishing (that is, remission) | 109 (32) | 60 (17) | 61 (18) | 113 (33) |
 Being informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well | 125 (36) | 53 (15) | 76 (22) | 89 (26) |
 Having access to professional counselling (e.g., psychologist, social worker, counsellor, nurse specialist) if you, family or friends need it | 147 (43) | 59 (17) | 61 (18) | 76 (22) |
 Being treated like a person not just another case | 122 (36) | 43 (13) | 68 (20) | 110 (32) |
 Being treated in a hospital or clinic that is as physically pleasant as possible | 118 (34) | 58 (17) | 70 (20) | 97 (28) |
 Having one member of hospital staff with whom you can talk about all aspects of your condition, treatment and follow-up | 132 (38) | 57 (17) | 66 (19) | 88 (26) |
Psychological Needs Domain | ||||
 Anxiety | 121 (35) | 77 (22) | 99 (29) | 46 (13) |
 Feeling down or depressed | 129 (38) | 91 (27) | 92 (27) | 31 (9) |
 Feelings of sadness | 137 (40) | 97 (28) | 77 (22) | 32 (9) |
 Fears about the cancer spreading | 72 (21) | 87 (25) | 98 (29) | 86 (25) |
 Worry that the results of treatment are beyond your control | 125 (36) | 92 (27) | 79 (23) | 47 (14) |
 Accepting changes in your appearance | 186 (54) | 76 (22) | 53 (15) | 28 (8) |
 Uncertainty about the future | 118 (34) | 84 (24) | 88 (26) | 53 (15) |
 Learning to feel in control of your situation | 157 (46) | 81 (24) | 72 (21) | 33 (10) |
 Keeping a positive outlook | 164 (48) | 63 (18) | 73 (21) | 43 (13) |
 Feelings about death or dying | 169 (49) | 84 (24) | 57 (17) | 33 (10) |
 Concerns about the worries of those close to you | 126 (37) | 72 (21) | 90 (26) | 55 (16) |
Sexuality Needs Domain | ||||
 Changes in your ability to have sexual intercourse | 189 (55) | 43 (13) | 54 (16) | 57 (17) |
 Changes in sexual feelings | 178 (52) | 53 (15) | 61 (18) | 51 (15) |
 Changes in your sexual relationships | 198 (58) | 46 (13) | 55 (16) | 44 (13) |
 To be given information about sexual relationships | 211 (62) | 50 (15) | 37 (11) | 45 (13) |
 Concerns about fulfilling your role as a partner | 199 (58) | 49 (14) | 53 (15) | 42 (12) |
Physical and Daily Living Needs Domain | ||||
 Pain | 168 (49) | 86 (25) | 50 (15) | 39 (11) |
 Lack of energy/tiredness | 122 (36) | 69 (20) | 92 (27) | 60 (17) |
 Feeling unwell a lot of the time | 176 (51) | 79 (23) | 53 (15) | 35 (10) |
 Work around the house | 196 (57) | 63 (18) | 60 (17) | 24 (7) |
 Not being able to do the things you used to do | 166 (48) | 78 (23) | 60 (17) | 39 (11) |
Patient Care and Support Needs Domain | ||||
 More choice about which cancer specialists you see | 208 (61) | 66 (19) | 38 (11) | 31 (9) |
 More choice about which hospital you attend | 213 (62) | 60 (17) | 42 (12) | 28 (8) |
 Reassurance by health professionals that the way you feel is normal | 155 (45) | 69 (20) | 70 (20) | 49 (14) |
 Hospital staff attending to your physical needs | 155 (45) | 68 (20) | 61 (18) | 59 (17) |
 Hospital staff acknowledging, and showing sensitivity to, your feelings and emotional needs | 124 (36) | 59 (17) | 65 (19) | 95 (28) |