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The effect of social care nurses on health related quality of life in patients with advanced cancer: A non-randomized, multicenter, controlled trial

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Patients with advanced cancer and a limited prognosis suffer from particular physical, psychological, and social burden [ 1 , 2 ]. Identifying and appropriately addressing patients’ complex care needs is a tremendous challenge [ 3 ]. Overtreatment and redundant aggressive therapies at the end of life have been discussed as well as to positive therapy expectations on the part of the patients [ 4 , 5 ]. Patients’ unexpressed needs are associated with higher psychosocial distress and decreased quality of life (QoL) [ 6 ]. Targeted support services may address patients’ symptom awareness, health literacy or patient-physician communication and thereby increase the likelihood of patients expressing personal care needs [ 7 ]. Care needs associated with the disease are broadly defined and include supportive conversations about anxieties and concerns in relation to cancer recurrence, the further course of the disease, confrontation with death, physical changes, treatment side effects, sexuality, partnership and family problems, workplace problems, and financial security [ 7 ]. Thus, psycho-oncological and supportive care interventions are an important complement to medical treatments that can improve patients’ quality of life [ 8 , 9 ]. QoL is a multidimensional concept that includes physical, emotional, social, and functional well-being [ 10 ]. It is crucial to include the patient’s voice on their QoL not only in clinical decision-making but also in the development of therapies and regulatory decision-making [ 11 , 12 ]. As curatively-treatments in advanced stages of cancer are no longer indicated, improving quality of life becomes a central therapeutic goal [ 13 ].

Source: Quality of Life Research

DOI: 10.1007/s11136-024-03780-3

Authors: Daniel Schindel, Johann Frick, Pimrapat Gebert, Ulrike Grittner, Anne Letsch, Liane Schenk

Institutions: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein

Language: English

Topic: Palliative and Oncologic Care

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,590