Exploring Health Care Needs and HR-QOL Among Women With Cancer: A Principal Component Analysis Before and 6 Months...

To examine the characteristics of the health care needs corresponding to the medical care process and HR-QOL of women with cancer.

A descriptive design was adopted.

The study's participants were 122 women with cancer who completed a survey before and 6 months after treatment initiation. A principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted on a set of 12 health care satisfaction scores at each point. Correlations were examined between the resulting components and HR-QOL indicators, including subjective well-being, symptoms, symptom-related interference, anxiety and depression.

Most participants reported high health care satisfaction in both phases. PCA indicated the presence of 3 distinct domains: satisfaction with health care, health care management and supportive care. In both phases, these domains accounted for about 60% of the variance, while the remaining 40% was unexplained. Only satisfaction with health care was correlated with HR-QOL at both phases, with particularly strong associations observed for subjective well-being and depression at 6 months. Before treatment initiation, the item of 'nursing care and practice' received the highest average score, but demonstrated a negative loading on the component of 'satisfaction with health care management'. The component of 'satisfaction with supportive care needs' was retained at both phases.

Health care plays a pivotal role in maintaining patients' quality of life, while supportive care and the integration of nursing practice within health care management remain essential.

High satisfaction scores do not necessarily mean that all health care needs are met. Addressing unmet needs from the perspective of HR-QOL and ensuring continuous supportive care throughout the treatment process is imperative.

Data provided by women with cancer was used.