Scholarlink

Background <p>Patients with hematological malignancies frequently experience complex physical, psychological, and spiritual concerns due to disease progression and intensive therapies. Despite these needs, palliative care services are often underutilized. This study aimed to assess the palliative care needs of adult patients with hematological malignancies and their caregivers in a tertiary care setting in India.</p> Methods <p>A descriptive survey was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023, involving 200 patients and their caregivers in oncology wards. The Needs Assessment Tool for Progressive Disease-Cancer (NAT: PD-C) was used to evaluate physical, psychological, and social needs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Jamovi 2.0.0.</p> Results <p>Of the 200 patients, 55.5% reported no unresolved physical symptoms, while 9.5% had significant concerns, including fatigue, pain, and breathlessness. Psychological distress was noted in 16% of patients, with 15.62% requiring referral to specialized services. Caregivers reported significant concerns regarding physical strain (2%) and psychological distress (14%). Only 9.55% of patients were referred to specialist palliative care services, highlighting a gap in timely palliative care access.</p> Conclusions <p>Despite a high burden of symptoms, specialist palliative care services are underutilized for patients with hematological malignancies. Early integration of palliative care can improve symptom management, reduce psychological distress, and enhance patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. Training healthcare providers in palliative care principles and establishing standardized referral pathways are essential to address these unmet needs.</p>

错误：搜索内容不能为空，请输入英文关键词
错误：关键词超出字数限制，请精简
高级检索

Assessing palliative care needs in adult patients with hematological malignancies and their caregivers: implications for referral practice

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

    开放获取

  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月14日

查看全文
  • Radhika R. Pai,
  • Arun Ghoshal,
  • Karthik Udupa,
  • Ananth Pai,
  • Sharada Mailankody,
  • Anuja Damani,
  • Krithika S. Rao,
  • Shwetha Prabhu,
  • Malathi G. Nayak,
  • Naveen Salins

摘要

Background

Patients with hematological malignancies frequently experience complex physical, psychological, and spiritual concerns due to disease progression and intensive therapies. Despite these needs, palliative care services are often underutilized. This study aimed to assess the palliative care needs of adult patients with hematological malignancies and their caregivers in a tertiary care setting in India.

Methods

A descriptive survey was conducted from October 2022 to February 2023, involving 200 patients and their caregivers in oncology wards. The Needs Assessment Tool for Progressive Disease-Cancer (NAT: PD-C) was used to evaluate physical, psychological, and social needs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in Jamovi 2.0.0.

Results

Of the 200 patients, 55.5% reported no unresolved physical symptoms, while 9.5% had significant concerns, including fatigue, pain, and breathlessness. Psychological distress was noted in 16% of patients, with 15.62% requiring referral to specialized services. Caregivers reported significant concerns regarding physical strain (2%) and psychological distress (14%). Only 9.55% of patients were referred to specialist palliative care services, highlighting a gap in timely palliative care access.

Conclusions

Despite a high burden of symptoms, specialist palliative care services are underutilized for patients with hematological malignancies. Early integration of palliative care can improve symptom management, reduce psychological distress, and enhance patients’ and caregivers’ quality of life. Training healthcare providers in palliative care principles and establishing standardized referral pathways are essential to address these unmet needs.