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Osowiecka K, Dolińska A, Szwiec M, Działach E, Nowakowski JJ, Rucińska M. Validation of the Standardized Needs Evaluation Questionnaire in Polish Cancer Patients. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:1451. [PMID: 38672533 PMCID: PMC11048258 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16081451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer influences various aspects of patients' functioning. Cancer patients face not only medical problems but also organizational, socio-psychological, and spiritual problems. Their needs often seem to be unrecognized because patients do not express their concerns and clinicians do not ask appropriate questions. Unmet needs impact patients' quality of life. The aim of this study was to select, adapt, validate, and introduce a simple instrument for estimating cancer patients' unmet needs in Poland. METHODS The Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was chosen for validation in a Polish population. The Polish version of the NEQ was developed with a back-translation procedure, as approved by a psycho-oncologist and a public health specialist. The psychometric properties of the NEQ (content analysis, reliability, construct validity, comprehensibility, and acceptability) were measured. RESULTS This study was performed on a group of 121 cancer patients. The median time of completion for the NEQ was 10 min. The form, length, and font size of the NEQ were accepted by the respondents. Overall, the meaning of the questions was well understood, with only a few cases of discreetly heterogeneous interpretation of the content. The questionnaire showed good reliability and internal factor structure validity. CONCLUSION The NEQ is a simple, easy-to-administer instrument with good psychometric properties and seems to be useful in assessing the unexpressed needs of cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Dolińska
- Psychology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital in Zielona Gora, Zyty 26, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland;
| | - Marek Szwiec
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland;
| | - Eliza Działach
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902 Bytom, Poland;
| | - Jacek J. Nowakowski
- Department of Botany and Evolutionary Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plack Łódzki 3, 10-727 Olsztyn, Poland;
| | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland;
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Osowiecka K, Szwiec M, Dolińska A, Gwara A, Kurowicki M, Kołb-Sielecki J, Działach E, Radecka W, Nawrocki S, Rucińska M. Unmet non-medical needs of cancer patients in Poland: a quantitative and qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 2024; 32:183. [PMID: 38388767 PMCID: PMC10884169 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-024-08387-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Cancer itself and its treatment have a multifaceted impact on patients' daily lives. The aim of the study was to determine unmet non-medical needs among Polish cancer patients. METHODS Survey research using a 23-item Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was carried out among 1062 cancer patients from different regions of Poland. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were performed. RESULTS The quantitative analysis showed that 48% of the NEQ items (11/23) were expressed as unmet needs by at least half of patients. Unmet information needs were indicated by patients most often: information about their diagnosis, exams, treatment, future condition, funding and economic support. Cancer patients would like to get more attention from medical staff. Unmet needs were most frequently expressed by respondents who were men, with a lower level of education, living in village, pensioners. Qualitative analysis showed that each need may be understood in a variety of different ways across the cohort. Some patients added comments that the completing NEQ helped them to notice their non-medical needs. CONCLUSION Polish cancer patients have some unmet non-medical needs, especially informative needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Marek Szwiec
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Anna Dolińska
- Psychology Outpatient Clinic, University Hospital in Zielona Gora, Zyty 26, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Anna Gwara
- Department of Nursing, Institute of Health Science, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046, Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Marcin Kurowicki
- NU-MED Radiotherapy Center in Elblag, Królewiecka 146, 82-300, Elblag, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kołb-Sielecki
- Department of Oncology, The Center for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Jagiellońska 78, 10-357, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Eliza Działach
- Departament of Public Health, Faculty of Sciences in Bytom, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Piekarska 18, 41-902, Bytom, Poland
| | - Weronika Radecka
- Department of Anatomy, University of Opole, Kopernika 11a, 45-040, Opole, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Nawrocki
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228, Olsztyn, Poland
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Osowiecka K, Kurowicki M, Kołb-Sielecki J, Gwara A, Szwiec M, Nawrocki S, Rucińska M. Is It Possible to Notice the Unmet Non-Medical Needs among Cancer Patients? Application of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire in Men with Lung Cancer. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:3484-3493. [PMID: 36975477 PMCID: PMC10047714 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30030264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death worldwide. It is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Lung cancer causes not only physical symptoms related to the disease itself and its treatment but also numerous mental, social and spiritual problems. The aim of the study was to assess non-medical needs among male lung cancer patients during oncological treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on a group of 160 men (mean age 67 years) treated for lung cancer from June 2022 until November 2022 in 5 oncological centers in Poland. The Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ) was used. The NEQ explores five areas of patients’ needs: informative, connected with assistance/care, relational, material and psycho-emotional support. Results: All participants (except one) expressed some unmet non-medical needs (mean and median 11). Male lung cancer patients indicated informative needs most frequently. There were no significant differences between expressed unmet needs based on age, place of residence, professional activity or marital status. Conclusions: The NEQ seems to be a proper instrument to explore the non-medical needs of cancer patients. Adequate measures to address the unmet needs of lung cancer patients could contribute to an improved quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Osowiecka
- Department of Psychology and Sociology of Health and Public Health, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Warszawska 30, 10-082 Olsztyn, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-518-711-334
| | - Marcin Kurowicki
- Department of Radiotherapy, NU-MED Radiotherapy Center in Elblag, Królewiecka 146, 82-300 Elblag, Poland
| | - Jarosław Kołb-Sielecki
- Department of Oncology, The Center for Pulmonary Diseases in Olsztyn, Jagiellońska 78, 10-357 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Anna Gwara
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, ul. Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Marek Szwiec
- Department of Surgery and Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Zielona Gora, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Gora, Poland
| | - Sergiusz Nawrocki
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Monika Rucińska
- Department of Oncology, Collegium Medicum University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Wojska Polskiego 37, 10-228 Olsztyn, Poland
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Bonacchi A, Chiesi F, Marunic G, Campani C, Gitto S, Lau C, Tagliaferro C, Forte P, Tarocchi M, Marra F. Needs evaluation questionnaire for liver disease: a novel assessment of unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease. Hepatol Commun 2023; 7:e0007. [PMID: 36706170 PMCID: PMC9988321 DOI: 10.1097/hc9.0000000000000007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with chronic liver disease face debilitating complications in their daily living and constantly report several types of unmet needs, but there is a paucity of validated questionnaires to assess these needs. In this study, we present the development of the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire for Liver Diseases (NEQ-LD) for the assessment of unmet needs in patients with chronic liver disease. Two hundred eighty-six outpatients with chronic liver diseases from a single tertiary referral center completed the NEQ-LD and related validity measures. Item response theory analyses were performed and demonstrated the strong psychometric properties of the questionnaire. Differential item functioning analyses showed that the scale functions equally across groups differing for age, sex, and presence of cirrhosis, suggesting the large applicability of the NEQ-LD for the assessment of unmet needs and between-group comparisons. Criterion validity measures provided evidence that unmet needs were positively associated with measures of depression and anxiety and negatively associated with measures of subjective well-being and physical and mental health. Unmet needs were expressed by a high percentage of patients, especially in the areas of information and dialogue with clinicians. One third of the sample reported material needs. Most of the items describing unmet needs were reported more frequently by patients with cirrhosis. Conclusion: We developed a reliable, valid, and largely employable instrument that can promote patient-centered care and facilitate support services in Hepatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Bonacchi
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute—ISPRO, Florence, Italy
- Centro Studi e Ricerca Synthesis, Associazione Promozione Sociale Sul Sentiero, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Chiesi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug, and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Georgia Marunic
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug, and Child’s Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Claudia Campani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefano Gitto
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Chloe Lau
- Department of Psychology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Paolo Forte
- Clinical Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Mirko Tarocchi
- Clinical Gastroenterology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences ‘Mario Serio,’ University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fabio Marra
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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Heß V, Meng K, Schulte T, Neuderth S, Bengel J, Faller H, Schuler M. Prevalence and predictors of cancer patients' unexpressed needs in the admission interview of inpatient rehabilitation. Psychooncology 2020; 29:1549-1556. [DOI: 10.1002/pon.5450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Verena Heß
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Karin Meng
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | | | - Silke Neuderth
- Faculty of Applied Social Sciences, University of Applied Sciences Würzburg‐ Schweinfurt Würzburg Germany
| | - Jürgen Bengel
- Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Psychotherapy University of Freiburg Freiburg im Breisgau Germany
| | - Hermann Faller
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Michael Schuler
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
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