Partner’s survivorship care needs: Multivariable analysis in head and neck cancer patients.

Abstract

120 Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the number and predictors of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors’ partners unmet needs and how they correspond to the unmet needs of the survivor. Methods: This study accrued consenting partners from among 158 patients with HNC who had completed a onetime survey including demographic information and the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs Measure (CaSUN) between January 2013 and May 2014. Patients’ caregivers were invited to complete the Cancer Survivors’ Partners Unmet Needs Survey (CaSPUN). The mean (± standard deviation) number and proportion of unmet needs on the CaSPUN was calculated. Multivariable analyses (MVA) were performed to determine factors associated with greater unmet needs using linear regression. Kappa co-efficient was calculated to examine the agreement between the unmet needs of patients and their partners on 22 corresponding items. Results: The CaSPUN survey was completed by 44 partners of head and neck cancer survivors. At least one unmet need was reported by 29 partners and 4 had a very high number of needs between 31 and 35. The most common unmet needs were “I need help to manage my concerns about the cancer coming back” (41%), “I need more accessible hospital parking” (34%), “ I need help to cope with others not acknowledging the impact of having a partner experience cancer has had on my own life” (30%), “ I need help dealing with changes that cancer has caused in my partner” (27%) and “I need to know all my partners doctors talk to each other to coordinate my partner’s care” (27%). Of the 5 most common items, 3 were in the Relationships domain. On MVA increasing number of unmet needs in patients was significantly associated with increased unmet needs in their partners (p < 0.01). Of the 22 paired items there was fair agreement in 12 items, moderate agreement in 8 items and good agreement in 2 items between patients and partners. Conclusions: A significant proportion of partners of cancer patients experience unmet needs which may differ from those of the patient themselves. Survivorship program should consider independent needs assessment and program development for partners.