European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Need assessment is one of the important steps that should be conducted to be able to provide health care to patients with advance stage cancer because by understanding the needs of the patient, an appropriate and proper care can be provided. Inadequate efforts tomeet the needs of patients will affect their quality of life and their satisfaction towards health care. This descriptive study uses Needs Assessment for Advanced Cancer patients (NA-ACP) questionnaire to describe the patient needs based on seven main need domains of advanced cancer patients as well as several additional needs. The results of this study show that the three most needed domains (100%) by advanced cancer patients are medical  information and communication, psychological/emotional support and other needs. Meanwhile, the most frequently felt need, i.e. from moderate to high, (98%) is other needs. Based on those results, it is recommended that hospitals and health care workers should pay more attention to the advanced cancer patients, especially the need for medical information and communication, psychological/emotional needs, financial need, and other needs. To address the issue, training on communication can be provided to health care workers, health education can be given to patients through picture/video media, palliative care counseling unit and cancer support group can also be established. In addition, a clear information media on how to access financial support available for the patients should also be provided.