Beyond Treatment, Understanding the Holistic Needs of Cancer Patients and Family Caregivers: A Qualitative Study from the Perspectives of Patients, Family Caregivers, and Health Care Providers

Abstract

Introduction Cancer is a complex disease and can affect the integrity of individuals, their health dimensions and quality of life, and their families, leading to changes in priorities and the emergence of new needs. Therefore, the first step in providing quality care, improving survival, and planning treatment, care, and support services is to identify and meet the needs of this group of patients. Research Objective This study aimed to identify the holistic needs of cancer patients and their family caregivers from the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and cancer care providers. Materials and Methods This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured, and face-to-face interviews with 8 patients, 9 family caregivers, and 14 cancer care providers, a total of 31 participants who were selected using a purposeful sampling method. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis by Graneheim and Lundman and coded with MAXQDA-10 software. Data Rigor was evaluated using Lincoln & Guba criteria. Findings Analysis of the interviews revealed 9 categories and 22 subcategories for the needs. The categories included informational needs (2 subcategories), financial (2 subcategories), physical (2 subcategories), psychosocial (4 subcategories), spiritual (2 subcategories), family caregivers’ needs (2 subcategories), access to services (3 subcategories), standard care (3 subcategories), and continuity of care (2 subcategories). Conclusion Cancer patients and their family caregivers have many types of needs that extend beyond treatment-related issues. By integrating the perspectives of patients, family caregivers, and cancer care providers, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of cancer-related needs that allows healthcare providers and health policymakers to take positive steps to provide optimal patient- and family-centered care for these patients.