Is there a need for change in cancer survivorship care? A qualitative exploration of survivor experiences and needs at the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre Clinic

Supportive Care in Cancer · 4 authors, 4 centres

AI SUMMARY

FIDELITY 100%

This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.

AGENT 01 · STRUCTURED SUMMARY

TRACE TO SOURCE

“

TL;DR

Participants valued the centralised, multidisciplinary, patient-centred model of care, which provided holistic support and reassurance during survivorship.

Full summary

542 CHARS

Eight focus groups were conducted with 26 participants (mean age 60, 77% female, 62% breast cancer diagnosis, mean four clinic visits). Interpretive description using a Framework approach was applied to transcribed data. Unmet needs included managing ongoing treatment sequelae, normalisation of survivorship experiences, and addressing bidirectional survivor-caregiver stress. The findings support the IOM recommendation for centralised, multidisciplinary survivorship care and highlight areas for improvement in long-term survivorship care.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

oncology

SUMMARISED BY

AI pipeline

FIDELITY CHECK

100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10584705

Is there a need for change in cancer survivorship care? A qualitative exploration of survivor experiences and needs at the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre Clinic

Supportive Care in Cancer

READ THE FULL PAPER

ABSTRACT

Purpose Effective cancer survivorship care is contingent on a comprehensive understanding and management of the dynamic needs of cancer survivors. The Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre (SCSC) clinic established a holistic, multidisciplinary model of survivorship care. We aimed to explore survivors’ experiences and perceptions of the clinic, and to identify their unmet needs. Methods Semi-structured focus groups (FGs) involving participants recruited from the SCSC clinic were conducted by an experienced facilitator and observer using a guide covering: survivor perceptions of first SCSC clinic visit, services accessed, ongoing unmet needs, and how needs changed over time. FGs were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interpretive description using a Framework approach was undertaken and participant characteristics summarised descriptively. Results Eight FGs were conducted involving a total of 26 participants (mean age: 60), most were female ( n = 20), born in Australia ( n = 14), and with breast cancer diagnoses ( n = 16). Four overarching themes were identified: (i) perceptions of the SCSC clinic; (ii) patient-centred care; (iii) adjustment to illness; and (iv) external supports and resources. Participants valued the centralisation of multidisciplinary survivorship care at the SCSC clinic, which helped their recovery. Mitigating ongoing treatment sequelae, reassurance of good-health, normalisation of survivorship experiences, and handling caregiver stress represent some needs identified. Conclusions The SCSC clinic offers holistic, specialised care and reassurance to cancer survivors. Adjustment to the survivorship journey, inter-survivor shared experiences, and management of physical treatment sequelae were perceived as important in their recovery. Managing survivor needs is integral to improving long-term survivorship care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-023-08102-w.

CITATION EXPORT

Liam Anthony Obeid, Haryana M. Dhillon, Sim Y. Tan et al.. Is there a need for change in cancer survivorship care? A qualitative exploration of survivor experiences and needs at the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre Clinic. Supportive Care in Cancer. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08102-w

AUTHORS

4 · 4 CENTRES

Liam Anthony Obeid, Haryana M. Dhillon, Sim Y. Tan, Janette L. Vardy

1https://ror.org/0384j8v12grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XConcord Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2137 Australia
2https://ror.org/0384j8v12grid.1013.30000 0004 1936 834XFaculty of Science, School of Psychology, Centre for Medical Psychology & Evidence-Based Decision-Making, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW Australia
3https://ror.org/04b0n4406grid.414685.a0000 0004 0392 3935Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Rd, Concord, NSW Australia
4https://ror.org/04b0n4406grid.414685.a0000 0004 0392 3935Sydney Cancer Survivorship Centre, Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Hospital Rd, Concord, NSW Australia