A Cross-sectional Study on the Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Cancer Patients Under the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: Research on unmet supportive care needs in Chinese populations, where most governments have been adopting zero-tolerance policies on COVID-19, unlike Western countries, is lacking. Objective: To examine the impact of COVID-19 on healthcare services and unmet supportive care needs in cancer survivors during the pandemic in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Methods: This was multicenter, cross-sectional survey conducted in 469 adult cancer survivors in 2021. Primary outcome measurement was the Supportive Care Needs Survey short form. Results: Less than 10% respondents reported that the COVID pandemic has affected hospital treatment or follow-up. For unmet supportive care needs, the highest mean scores were found in the health system & information domain, followed by psychological domain. Multivariate linear regression models showed significant associations between age, gender, geographical location, time since diagnosis, treatment status, and worry about getting infected and cancer survivors’ unmet supportive care needs. Conclusions: Despite the pandemic having little influence overall on health services, unmet supportive care needs in the psychological domain seem to be higher under the pandemic. High levels of unmet supportive care needs were also identified in the health system & information domain. Implications for Practice: Cancer services should seek to fulfill unmet psychological needs of cancer survivors. Qualitative studies are warranted to deepen our understanding of patients’ evolving needs during the pandemic and beyond to inform practice change. What is Foundational: Supportive care needs is an important area to inform optimal cancer services delivery. Demographic and disease-related characteristics are associated with unmet supportive care needs.