Korean J Hosp Palliat Care.  2014 Dec;17(4):216-222. 10.14475/kjhpc.2014.17.4.216.

Physical Symptoms and Psychiatric, Social, Spiritual and Economical Care Needs of Patients under Home-based Cancer Service

• Kang MH
• Moon YS
• Lee YJ
• Kang YS
• Kim HG
• Lee GW
• Lee WS
• Kang JH

• KMID: 2305273
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14475/kjhpc.2014.17.4.216

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was performed to identify the symptoms and care needs of home-based cancer patients in Korea and to add to the scarce literature on this topic.
METHODS
Data were collected from patients who subscribed to home-based cancer care services in Jinju. Assessments were performed by nurses at the local public health center. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System with a numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to identify symptoms, and a four-point Likert scale was used to assess psychological, social, and spiritual needs.
RESULTS
Cross-sectional data were collected in October 2013. A total of 209 patients participated and their median age was 65 years (range, 17~89 years). Most patients were diagnosed in the early stage of cancer (n=188); only 19 patients were diagnosed in the advanced stage. More than half the patients lived alone (n=115, 55.0%) and took care of themselves (n=128, 61.2%). Anorexia and fatigue were the most common symptoms (median NRS, 5 and 4, respectively). Patients needed economic support the most, whereas spiritual care was least needed (n=138 [67.3%] vs. n=128 [62.1%], respectively).
CONCLUSION
Patients who signed up for home-based cancer care services in Jinju are struggling with a financial issue and physical symptoms. A customized approach is needed to improve the quality of the home-based care services.

Keyword

Home care services; Symptom assessment; Needs assessment

MeSH Terms

Anorexia
Fatigue
Gyeongsangnam-do
Home Care Services
Humans
Korea
Needs Assessment
Public Health
Symptom Assessment