Assessing the unmet information, support and care delivery needs of men with prostate cancer

Eric W. Boberg, David H. Gustafson*, Robert P. Hawkins, Kenneth P. Offord, Courtney Koch, Kuang Yi Wen, Kendra Kreutz, Andrew Salner

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

164 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study identified the key Unmet Needs of men with localized prostate cancer. A series of Nominal Groups were used to identify needs, from which a 135-item survey was developed to assess both the Importance and Unmet Need of each item. An Importance-Weighted Unmet Need score was calculated for each item, incorporating both the Importance and the degree to which the need was unmet. Surveys (n=500) were distributed in four geographically distinct areas, with a response rate of 46%. Respondents were 90% Caucasian, 80% married, with a mean age of 66 years, and mean education of 14 years. Care delivery needs were most important and least unmet, while Support needs were least important and most unmet. However, when degree to which needs were unmet was weighted by Importance, information needs had the highest Importance-Weighted Unmet Need scores. The greatest Unmet Needs for information were in knowledge of recurrence issues and in side effects of the illness and its treatment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)233-242
Number of pages10
JournalPatient education and counseling
Volume49
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2003

Keywords

  • Needs assessment
  • Patient education
  • Prostate cancer
  • Social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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