Unmet needs related to the quality of life of advanced cancer patients in Korea: a qualitative study
- Abstract
- BackgroundIt has recently been emphasized that the unmet needs of cancer patients should be evaluated more holistically, for example, by exploring caregivers' perspectives and cross cultural differences. This study explored additional domains or items of unmet needs among Korean cancer patients in reference to the Sheffield Profile for Assessment and Referral to Care (SPARC).MethodsWe conducted four focus group discussions (FGDs) with 15 cancer patients, following a semi-structured format to elicit participants' health perceptions, comments on SPARC, and opinions on the roles of medical professionals to improve the health-related quality of life of cancer patients. We analyzed the verbatim transcripts using a content analysis method.ResultsThe following themes were derived: living as a cancer patient, striving to overcome cancer, changing attitudes toward life after the cancer diagnosis, and ways to live a better life as a cancer patient. The participants asserted the significance of providing adequate treatment information that is easily understood by cancer patients during the conversation between patients and medical professionals. Besides the physical symptoms identified by SPARC, the participants struggled with numbness in their hands and feet and hair loss. Korean cancer patients prominently wished to avoid burdening their family or others in their daily life. They considered the improvement of health behaviors, such as diet and exercise, as part of the treatment, which was not limited to drugs. Furthermore, it was essential to evaluate the value of cancer patients' lives, as they desired to be helpful members of their families and society.ConclusionsThis study identified additional domains and items of unmet needs of Korean cancer patients and broadened the understanding of unmet needs among cancer patients.
- Author(s)
- 고수진; 권정혜; 김주희; 김혜영; 민영주; 옥민수; 이미나; 임현수; 조주희; 천재경; 표지희
- Issued Date
- 2021
- Type
- Article
- Keyword
- Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Cultural differences; Focus groups; Health services needs and demand; Health-related quality of life; Medical research; Palliative care; Patient satisfaction; Preventive medicine; Qualitative research; Quality of life; Research methodology; Researchers Supervision
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12904-021-00749-8
- URI
- https://oak.ulsan.ac.kr/handle/2021.oak/7904
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- Publisher
- BMC PALLIATIVE CARE
- Location
- 미국
- Language
- 영어
- ISSN
- 1472-684X
- Citation Volume
- 20
- Citation Number
- 1
- Citation Start Page
- 0
- Citation End Page
- 0
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