Unmet Supportive Care Needs for People With Cancer and Caregivers in South Australia

To explore the supportive care needs of people with cancer and their caregivers in South Australia and identify areas for service improvement.

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Quantitative data assessed unmet needs across multiple supportive care domains, while qualitative responses provided contextual insights. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were used to interpret findings.

Psychological and emotional needs emerged as key priorities and were frequently underpinned by unmet informational and practical needs. Emotional distress was prevalent across the sample, despite only a minority of respondents reporting that access to psychological services was an unmet need. Caregivers often reported that their emotional well-being was not prioritized, leading to stress and burnout. A significant unmet need for both groups was access to tailored, relevant information, especially regarding government entitlements and navigating the healthcare system. Practical and financial concerns, including fatigue, reduced functional ability, financial strain, and challenges accessing transport, were also common. These findings highlight that supportive care needs are interconnected, with gaps in one domain often exacerbating challenges in others.

Supportive care for people with cancer and their caregivers requires an integrated approach that embeds psychological support, delivers accessible and tailored information, and ensures equitable access to practical resources. Aligning services with the Australian Cancer Plan can help reduce disparities, improve engagement, and enhance overall well-being. Future longitudinal research should explore evolving needs, with a focus on underrepresented populations, including culturally and linguistically diverse groups, men, younger individuals, and people with rarer cancers.