SUPPORTIVE CARE: HELP AND SUPPORT NEEDS OF PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER – THE EXAMPLE OF THE TUNIS UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN TUNISIA

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Cancer diseases are gaining in importance worldwide. Breast cancer shows the highest incidences. Patient care is sensitive and requires good training and further education in the field of supportive care. It has been shown that unsatisfactory care and support affects the quality of life of patients with breast CA.

Aims: This study aims to measure dissatisfaction with care of breast cancer patients at the university hospital Tunis in Tunisia. Furthermore, connections between unmet needs for supportive care and socio-demographic and medical characteristics should also be identified.

Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted with n=161 patients diagnosed with breast cancer. This corresponds to 93.60% of the people who could be included. The interview questionnaire contained the Supportive Care Survey Short Form 34 and a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics. A pretest is carried out on 10 patients. The medical data were collected from the medical records. A descriptive evaluation and a consideration of correlations took place.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.23 years. The patients are particularly dissatisfied in the area of information needs (mean = 34.62 ±7.79) and with aspects of psychological needs (mean = 34.44 ±8.14). There is a correlation between young age (p=0.009), professional status (p=0.005) and being married (p = 0.001) in the area of sexuality. Number of own children and psychological needs correlate (p=0.024). Similarly, the presence of metastatic cancer correlates in all domains (p<0.05) except sexuality.

Conclusion: Caregivers should pay particular attention to the caregiving of mammary CA patients. Training and further education should integrate the results into their curricula.