Examining the Unmet Needs of Family Caregivers of Cancer Survivors and their Related Factors in Clients Referring to Oncology Clinics and Offices.

Abstract

Background: The complex process of caring for cancer survivors can affect various aspects of caregivers' needs and health. The present study was conducted to determine the unmet needs of family caregivers of cancer survivors and their related factors.

Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 314 family caregivers of cancer survivors. The required data were collected using a demographic characteristic form and the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool using the simple random sampling method. The main inclusion criteria for family caregivers were being 18-70 years old, lacking other chronic physical or mental illnesses, being willing to participate in the research, and not being a member of a treatment team. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS V.18.

Results: Most of the participants were female, married, and urban citizens. The mean (SD) total score of unmet needs was obtained at 74.97) 19.67(, which indicated a medium-to-high level of the unmet needs of caregivers. It was found that the mean score of unmet needs in caregivers had a significant relationship with gender, marital status, education level, occupation, relationship with the patient, living with the patient in the same place, and the income status of caregivers, as well as with patients' gender, education level, occupation, income status, travel for treatment, type of insurance, type of treatment, and place of treatment (p < 0.005).

Conclusions: It seems necessary to pay attention to the unmet needs, consider interventional programs to satisfy these needs, and take into account the factors related to these needs.