Abstract
Purpose: Unmet care needs in colorectal cancer care extend beyond medical treatment, significantly affecting both patients and their caregivers. While patients and caregivers express strong needs for information, psychosocial support, and continuity of care, healthcare providers may perceive and prioritize these needs differently. This study compares the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, identifying key areas for improvement in patient-centered cancer care.
Methods: This study used a qualitative design involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with three days of colorectal cancer patients and family caregivers, as well as eight healthcare providers. Data collection took place from September 2023 to August 2024. Interviews explored experiences with unmet needs across physical, informational, and emotional domains. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step framework. Themes were identified through iterative coding and regular discussions among researchers to ensure trustworthiness. The analysis process involved peer debriefing to validate thematic consistency and coherence.
Results: Three primary themes emerged from the analysis: "Information Accessibility and Education," "Psychosocial and Emotional Support," and "Remote Care Needs." Patients and caregivers emphasized a need for personalized and accessible information on treatment and self-care practices, noting challenges in understanding complex medical information. Both groups also identified significant psychosocial stressors, with patients focusing on the emotional toll of their condition and caregivers reporting the dual burden of care responsibilities and their own emotional needs. Healthcare providers acknowledged the importance of these areas but highlighted systemic barriers, including time constraints, workforce limitations, and the need for structured support for remote care delivery.
Conclusion: The study reveals a disconnect between patients’ and caregivers' perceived unmet needs and healthcare providers' awareness of these needs. Findings underscore the importance of implementing patient-centered solutions, such as remote care options, improved information delivery systems, and expanded psychosocial support. These insights highlight the need for a more comprehensive, sustainable care approach that holistically addresses the physical, emotional, and informational dimensions of colorectal cancer care.
Notes
References:
1. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
2. Choi, K. H., Park, J. H., Park, J. H., & Park, J. S. (2013). Psychosocial needs of cancer patients and related factors: a multi-center, cross-sectional study in Korea. Psycho-oncology, 22(5), 1073–1080. https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.3105
3. Bellas, O., Kemp, E., Edney, L., Oster, C., & Roseleur, J. (2022). The impacts of unmet supportive care needs of cancer survivors in Australia: A qualitative systematic review. European journal of cancer care, 31(6), e13726. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecc.13726
4. Kim, W., Shin, C., Larkey, L., Jo, S., & James, D. (2022). Supportive Care Needs: Perspectives of Cancer Patients and Healthcare Providers. Clinical nursing research, 31(6), 1033–1041. https://doi.org/10.1177/10547738211045226
5. Sodergren, S. C., Wheelwright, S. J., Permyakova, N. V., Patel, M., Calman, L., Smith, P. W. F., Din, A., Richardson, A., Fenlon, D., Winter, J., Corner, J., Foster, C., & Members of Study Advisory Committee (2019). Supportive care needs of patients following treatment for colorectal cancer: risk factors for unmet needs and the association between unmet needs and health-related quality of life-results from the ColoREctal Wellbeing (CREW) study. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice, 13(6), 899–909. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-019-00805-6
Sigma Membership
Lambda
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Other
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Stress and Coping, Interprofessional, Interdisciplinary, Colorectal Cancer Patients, Patient-Centered Care, Patient-Provider Relationships, Holistic Approach
Recommended Citation
Kim, Young Man; Ha, Gi Won; Lee, Min Ro; and Kang, No Eul, "Unmet Care Needs: Perspectives of Colorectal Cancer Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 163.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/163
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Unmet Care Needs: Perspectives of Colorectal Cancer Patients, Caregivers, and Healthcare Providers
Seattle, Washington, USA
Purpose: Unmet care needs in colorectal cancer care extend beyond medical treatment, significantly affecting both patients and their caregivers. While patients and caregivers express strong needs for information, psychosocial support, and continuity of care, healthcare providers may perceive and prioritize these needs differently. This study compares the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, identifying key areas for improvement in patient-centered cancer care.
Methods: This study used a qualitative design involving in-depth, semi-structured interviews with three days of colorectal cancer patients and family caregivers, as well as eight healthcare providers. Data collection took place from September 2023 to August 2024. Interviews explored experiences with unmet needs across physical, informational, and emotional domains. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step framework. Themes were identified through iterative coding and regular discussions among researchers to ensure trustworthiness. The analysis process involved peer debriefing to validate thematic consistency and coherence.
Results: Three primary themes emerged from the analysis: "Information Accessibility and Education," "Psychosocial and Emotional Support," and "Remote Care Needs." Patients and caregivers emphasized a need for personalized and accessible information on treatment and self-care practices, noting challenges in understanding complex medical information. Both groups also identified significant psychosocial stressors, with patients focusing on the emotional toll of their condition and caregivers reporting the dual burden of care responsibilities and their own emotional needs. Healthcare providers acknowledged the importance of these areas but highlighted systemic barriers, including time constraints, workforce limitations, and the need for structured support for remote care delivery.
Conclusion: The study reveals a disconnect between patients’ and caregivers' perceived unmet needs and healthcare providers' awareness of these needs. Findings underscore the importance of implementing patient-centered solutions, such as remote care options, improved information delivery systems, and expanded psychosocial support. These insights highlight the need for a more comprehensive, sustainable care approach that holistically addresses the physical, emotional, and informational dimensions of colorectal cancer care.
Description
This study explores and compares unmet care needs in colorectal cancer patients and their family caregivers with healthcare providers’ perspectives. Findings indicate a need for patient-centered interventions, including remote care, enhanced information systems, and psychosocial support. A holistic approach to care is recommended to bridge the gap between perceived needs and actual support provided.