Table 2 Themes derived from the data, domains of the Supportive Care Framework and suggestions for how the identified needs could be met
Theme | Domains of the Supportive Care Framework | Suggested interventions for routine care |
|---|---|---|
Changes in unmet needs across the cancer care trajectory | Psychological, emotional, informational and practical | Improved patient-centred communication and psychosocial support during the time of diagnosis, cancer recurrence and discharge (e.g. with the help of interactional skills training for clinicians or interactive eHealth or mHealth applications) |
Lack of information and involvement in decisions requiring patient-centred communication | Informational, psychological and emotional | Improved patient-centred communication (e.g. by providing more tailored medical information and help with involvement in decision making) |
Uncertainty about treatment and future as areas of concern | Informational, psychological, emotional, social and spiritual | Improved patient-centred communication and psychosocial support (e.g. through access to peer support) |
Coordinated and documented post-treatment care planning | Informational, psychological, emotional, physical and practical | Provision of care coordinators and written, take-home care plans, tailored to survivors’ individual circumstances and providing guidance on the prescribed steps of care |
Ongoing support services to help meet psychosocial and practical needs | Informational, psychological, emotional, social and practical | Provision of: i) further information and referral to less bureaucratic transport services for survivors and support persons; ii) face-to-face peer support sessions occurring on a regular basis and in different locations to maximise survivors’ and their support persons’ ability to attend; and iii) assistance with making flexible work arrangements |