Author of

• 13022

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  MO27 - Patient Centred Care (ID 141)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Mini Oral Abstract Session
  • Track: Nurses
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:C. Broderick, J. McPhelim
  • Coordinates: 10/30/2013, 10:30 - 12:00, Bayside 104, Level 1

  • 13030

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    MO27.08 - Needs assessment of advanced lung cancer patients - evolution over a decade? (ID 2914)

    11:15 - 11:20  |  Author(s): S. Djalalov
    • Abstract
    • Presentation
    • Slides

    Background
    Lung cancer patients continue to experience higher symptom distress than others with different cancer types. We assessed changes in the needs and symptoms of advanced lung cancer patients over a 10 year period.

    Methods
    Consecutive outpatients with advanced lung cancer attending thoracic oncology clinics at a major Canadian cancer centre were invited to complete a 25-item self-administered questionnaire assessing physical and psychosocial symptoms, functional impairment, cancer knowledge and information preferences. Patients were surveyed over 6 months in 2002, and a second cohort surveyed over 3 months in 2012. Summary data and relevant changes over time are presented here.

    Results
    108 advanced lung cancer patients were surveyed in 2002, and 100 in 2012. Fatigue, cough, and shortness of breath are the most common physical symptoms, affecting over one-third of patients on a frequent or constant basis. Significant anxiety was reported by 27% in 2002, 20% in 2012, and 15% reported depression, unchanged over time. Lung cancer or treatment-related symptoms impair daily activities in approximately two-thirds of patients. More than a third experience significant financial hardship, and 62% believe their lung cancer imposed significant hardship on their family. More patients in 2012 reported receiving advice on symptom management, information on the goals and benefits of cancer therapy, and an understanding of clinical trials. However a quarter of patients still perceived that they received little to no advice on symptom management, and 19% felt uninformed about treatment goals for their advanced lung cancer. Despite advances in palliative care, less than 20% discussed their end-of-life care wishes with their healthcare team, even though ~40% had specific wishes or plans, with no change over 10 years. In 2002, most advanced lung cancer patients preferred to receive information in print media. In 2012, while most would still be interested in print media, significantly more were interested in a telephone helpline (~60%). Half of patients indicated they would not use internet-based resources even if readily available in 2002, but this number did not change over time (46% in 2012).

    Conclusion
    Advanced lung cancer patients continue to experience a significant burden of physical and psychosocial symptoms, with no decrease in this burden over time despite perceived advances in treatment and support. Patients are more informed about symptom management and treatment goals than a decade ago, although a significant number still require more information. Patients with advanced lung cancer also need greater empowerment and support from their oncology team in advanced care planning. Printed information continues to be preferable to internet-based resources for the majority of advanced lung cancer patients, and a growing number are interested in telephone help-line support.

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