Exploring supportive care needs and future research directions in pancreatic cancer: A focus group study with patients, caregivers and health care professionals.

PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer entails poor prognosis and high physical and psychosocial burden for patients and their caregivers. Supportive care needs remain insufficiently addressed. This study aimed to identify supportive care needs and potential directions for future research based on perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A qualitative design was applied using focus group interviews. Participants were patients with pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy ((neo)adjuvant and palliative), caregivers, and HCPs (oncologists, nurses, physiotherapists, and dieticians). Six focus group interviews were conducted, audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Identified themes were categorized, described and translated into potential research questions.

RESULTS

Nine patients, eight caregivers, and eight health care professionals participated. Twenty-one themes were identified, organized, and consolidated into 10 themes representing patient and caregiver needs. These included: 1) Nutritional guidance beyond generic advice, 2) Information and guidance for self-management of side effects, 3) Supporting caregivers' self-care, 4) Clear information on treatment trajectory and prognosis, 5) Peer support and network, 6) Support for exercise, 7) Existential support, 8) Support and facilitation of family communication, 9) Navigating the treatment trajectory, and 10) Supporting energy management. These themes informed the development of exploratory and interventional research questions intended to guide future supportive care research.

CONCLUSION

The findings highlight a broad range of supportive care needs among patients with pancreatic cancer and their caregivers. While exploratory in nature, the study identifies potential areas for future research and underscores the importance of addressing caregiver burden and family communication within supportive care interventions.