PSYCHOSOCIAL STATUS AND PERCEIVED CARE NEEDS OF CLIENTS WITH ADVANCED STAGES OF CANCER

A million terminal cases of cancer are diagnosed in India every year. Until recently cancer patients whose disease progressed beyond curative treatment suffered pain and discomfort and waited for death. Purpose of the study was to identify the psychosocial status and perceived care needs of clients with advanced stages of cancer. An exploratory survey design was undertaken. Study was conducted in two settings Twenty five samples were selected by purposive sampling. The overall analysis of psychosocial status showed that sixty eight percent (68%) had only poor to average psychosocial status whereas thirty two percent (32%) had good psychosocial status. Overall perceived care need assessment showed that thirty two percent (32%) had maximum care needs and sixty eight percent (68%) of clients had minimum care needs. Relationship between psychosocial status, perceived care needs and demographic variables were computed using Chi square. A significant association between psychosocial status and perceived care needs (p value: 0.005) was found. Although further work in this field is necessary, these findings are helpful in planning and implementing need based quality care for terminally ill clients.