Needs and Expectations of Long-Term Cancer Survivors: Multi-Centre Study Protocol

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Social Sciences

Background:

• Cancer significantly impacts individuals and society beyond mortality, affecting quality of life and incurring substantial costs.
• The growing population of long-term cancer survivors presents unique challenges and necessitates a deeper understanding of their evolving needs.
• Existing healthcare models may not fully address the complex, long-term requirements of cancer survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the specific health needs of long-term cancer survivors.
• To explore survivors' perceptions and expectations regarding care received during the survivorship phase.
• To inform the development of effective, patient-centered care strategies and assessment methods.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection.
• Qualitative data gathered through focus groups across diverse Spanish geographical regions.
• Quantitative data collected using a validated questionnaire to assess survivor experiences.

Main Results:

• The study will elucidate the quality of life experienced by cancer survivors.
• It will identify both met and unmet (including unexpressed) health needs.
• Insights into patient-reported outcomes and experiences will be generated.

Conclusions:

• Understanding survivor needs is crucial for developing adapted care plans.
• This research will contribute to creating patient-centered outcome assessment tools.
• A multidisciplinary approach is essential to address the complex needs of the growing cancer survivor population.