Support: The Leading Needs of Patient's with Cancer Among Confronting with Diagnosis Confronting with Diagnosis

Background and

Cancer is one of the most common growing diseases. According to statistics, the incidence of the disease in East Mediterranean region and Iran is increasingly growing. Considering the rise in the number of patients with cancer and threatening nature of this disease as well as problems of the patients and their family, the necessity to know and to understand the patients’needs and problems, especially after revealing cancer diagnosis is imperative and vital and recognizing patients’ needs will help to resolve them. The aim of this study is to understand patients’ needs during confronting with cancer diagnosis.

Using qualitative approach, the present study was done with content analysis method application. 19 participants including patient, physician, nurse and patient’s close relative were chosen amongst the clients of oncology unit, Cancer Clinic, and Cancer Patients Support Center. Purposeful sampling method was applied at the beginning and continued until data saturation. Face to face interview and taking field note were used to collect data. All the interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed, by using descriptive content analysis method

565 primary codes in four categories were obtained which consists of “being supportive by family and relative”, ”appropriate and effective contact of medical staffs”, ”service from supportive organizations” and “needs to be informed and patient readiness”. The main common theme of categories was “support” which was the major need of patients with cancer

Research findings show that, after cancer diagnosis disclosure, patients with cancer will have a lot of needs, that recognizing these demands and understanding them by health managers and clinical staffs can improve their interaction with patients and health service provisions prepare more comprehensive support according to patients’ needs.