Factors Affecting Palliative Care Needs Among Individuals With Head and Neck, Lung and Oesophageal Cancers Undergoing Radiotherapy.

AIM(S): To identify the palliative care needs of individuals with head and neck, lung and oesophageal cancers undergoing radiotherapy and explore the factors associated with these needs.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional descriptive study involved a survey.

METHODS

Data were collected from 111 individuals with head and neck, lung and oesophageal cancers undergoing radiotherapy at a hospital in Seoul, South Korea. The survey assessed general characteristics and seven domains of palliative care needs using the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in Cancer. We analysed the data using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test, Kruskal-Wallis test and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

Of the seven domains of palliative care needs, needs related to healthcare staff, information and psychological problems were relatively high. Travel time from home to the participating hospital and cancer diagnosis emerged as the most consistent factors associated with palliative care needs across domains. Participants travelling ≥ 3 h (vs. < 1 h) reported higher needs related to healthcare staff, hospital facilities and services, and practical support, while those with oesophageal cancer (vs. head and neck cancer) reported higher needs related to healthcare staff, hospital facilities and services, and social/religious/spiritual support. Religious affiliation was associated with higher social/religious/spiritual support needs, whereas being married was associated with lower needs for hospital facilities and services. No sociodemographic or clinical characteristics were significantly associated with physical, psychological or informational needs.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that palliative care during radiotherapy should address individuals' informational, psychological and healthcare staff-related needs while considering differences by cancer diagnosis and practical challenges associated with long-distance travel for treatment.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Radiotherapy care should address prominent healthcare staff-related, informational and psychological needs while recognizing that palliative care needs may differ by cancer diagnosis. Healthcare providers should also consider travel-related practical needs, particularly among individuals travelling long distances for treatment.