Unmet non-medical needs of cancer patients in Poland: a quantitative and qualitative study

Purpose Cancer itself and its treatment have a multifaceted impact on patients’ daily lives. The aim of the study was to determine unmet non-medical needs among Polish cancer patients. Methods Survey research using a 23-item Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was carried out among 1062 cancer patients from different regions of Poland. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. Results The quantitative analysis showed that 48% of the NEQ items (11/23) were expressed as unmet needs by at least half of patients. Unmet information needs were indicated by patients most often: information about their diagnosis, exams, treatment, future condition, funding and economic support. Cancer patients would like to get more attention from medical staff. Unmet needs were most frequently expressed by respondents who were men, with a lower level of education, living in village, pensioners. Qualitative analysis showed that each need may be understood in a variety of different ways across the cohort. Some patients added comments that the completing NEQ helped them to notice their non-medical needs. Conclusion Polish cancer patients have some unmet non-medical needs, especially informative needs.