Abstract:
Objective: To explore the unmet psychosocial needs, coping styles and psychological distress among people with cancer. Methods: The cross-sectional correlational study was conducted from May to July 2017 at Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan which comprised of 182 patients diagnosed with cancer. Data was collected using the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form-34, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Data was analysed using SPSS 23v. Results: It was found that all psychosocial needs were unmet among all participants (100%) who were suffering from cancer. However, health care information needs and psychological needs emerged to be strikingly unmet with 35.61% and 30.7% respectively. Moreover, maladaptive coping styles were highly endorsed than adaptive coping styles. Conclusion: This study pointed towards gaps in delivering quality care services in health care settings, inadequate attention and serious psychological health care neglect of people fighting with life threatening disease, indicating a dire need for proper psychological interventions for effective and holistic treatment planning to improve the whole process of illness and recovery.
Page(s):
1373-1378
DOI:
DOI not available
Published:
Journal: Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, Volume: 71, Issue: 5, Year: 2021
Keywords:
psychological distress
,
Cancer
,
Psychosocial support system
,
Coping skills