Unmet needs of patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy in Korea: A qualitative study

To identify key unmet needs among patients receiving radiotherapy for cancer and to provide insights for developing tailored supportive care interventions.

This qualitative descriptive study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, Korea, between March 2024 and March 2025. Purposive sampling was utilized to recruit patients with diverse cancer types and radiotherapy experiences before, during and after treatment. Semi-structured interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic content analysis until data saturation was achieved.

A total of 24 patients participated, including nine with head and neck cancer, eight with hepatocellular carcinoma, and seven with lung cancer. Five major themes emerged: (1) lack of information and communication gaps; (2) physical and procedural burdens; (3) treatment-related adverse effects and functional decline; (4) psychosocial challenges; and (5) limited accessibility due to travel distance. Patients faced multifaceted unmet needs shaped by clinical factors, institutional systems, and societal expectations within the healthcare context.

Addressing the five identified domains of unmet needs through multilevel strategies and policy-level interventions is essential to fostering a more holistic and equitable cancer care system. These findings provide a framework for nurses and radiotherapy teams to develop targeted supportive care strategies that address the diverse unmet needs of patients throughout the radiotherapy experience.