Identifying supportive care needs of patients with gastrointestinal cancer treatment in the selected centers of Isfahanin 2016

Background: The concept of supportive care needs includes essential services for people affected by cancer and their caregivers. This concept considers the need of physical, emotional, psychological, social, and informational of patients during the diagnosis, treatment, and survival. However, research studies, in which supportive care needs of patients with gastrointestinal cancers were studied, are very limited in an Iranian context. Therefore, the aim of the study was to identify supportive care needs of patients with gastrointestinal cancer treatment in the selected centers of Isfahan in 2016. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study which was conducted in Isfahan in 2016. Supportive Care Needs Survey-Long Form 59 questionnaire was completed by 350 patients who were undergoing gastrointestinal cancer treatment in the selected centers affiliated to the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The patients were selected by convenience sampling. This questionnaire considers supportive care needs of patient across five domains including daily life and physical, psychological, patients care and support, sex, and health system information. Demographic and clinical information of patients was also collected by a form. Results: Findings showed that the frequency of supportive care needs of patients with gastrointestinal cancer was equal to 62.6%. As well as the supportive care needs of patients were in daily life/physical 67.9%, psychological 59.6%, patients care and support 56.7%, sexual 54.7%, and health system information 74.1%. Frequency of health system information and sexual was the highest and lowest, respectively. Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, health system information need was the main supportive care needs of patients with gastrointestinal cancer in Isfahan. Some services that support these needs should be considered. It is suggested to training session for people affected by cancer should be improved.