Demands of Illness in Cancer Patients in Outpatient Settings

Abstract

This study was designed to describe the most common and most intense demands of illness in people with cancer in outpatient settings. The sample for this study who were at least 21 years old and had been treated for cancer. They recruited from outpatient setting in Seoul and Kyungsangnam-do. The questionnaire was a Likert type 5 point scale with 55 items on four need categories; informational, physical care emotional care and socioeconomic care. There were significant differences in degree of care need according to gender, religion, marital status, economic status, public insurance status, and the past regimen. In conclusion, emotional needs perceived by patients with cancer and family members were higher than the others. Based upon this result, it is recommended that the research to compare needs between cancer patients who have a same illness and family member are necessary.