Determining the supportive care needs of patients with gynecologic cancer

Aim: This thesis was conducted to assess the supportive care needs of patients with gynecologic cancer. Materials and Methods: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2018 and April 2019. The population of the study consisted of gynecologic cancer patients who applied to a gynecological clinic for a follow-up, who were admitted to gynecology-oncology clinic, and who received treatment in the chemotherapy unit in a hospital in Adana. The sample of the study consisted of a total of 98 gynecologic cancer patients, who were over 18 years old, who had received a gynecologic cancer diagnosis at least 1 month earlier, who did not have communication problems or mental insufficiency, who knew and could speak Turkish, and who agreed to take part in the study. The data of the study was gathered using a "Personal Information Form", which included descriptive characteristicsand information about the disease, and a "James Supportive Care Screening", for assessing the supportive care needs of the patients. The data was gathered face-to-face and was statistically analyzed using SPSS Windows 22.0 software program. Results: Of the patients, 46.9% had ovarian, 41.8% had endometrial, and 11.3% had cervical cancer. The mean scores for James Supportive Care Screening of the patients who had been diagnosed with gynecologic cancer was 29.72±15.57. The mean scores of the subscales of the screening were followingly;15.72±10.03 for emotional concerns, 0.19±0.72 for spiritual problems, 0.88±1.42 for healthcare decision making/communication issues, 1.85±2.62 for social/practical problems, 0.72±1.55 for cognitive concerns, and 10.33±8.19 for problems regarding physical symptoms. There was a statistically significant difference regarding sociodemographic characteristics and information about the disease only between the family type, the stage of the disease, and the time of diagnosis, and the total mean scores of the James Supportive Care Screening (p < 0.05) of the gynecologic patients. Conclusion: The study found that the supportive care needs of the patients was low, and therefore, the needs of the patients were largely satisfied.