Supportive Care Needs of Patients with Hematologic Malignancies and Their Caregivers: A Mixed-Method Study: A Mixed Design Study

Abstract

Hematologic cancer has serious physical and psychological impacts, increasing the supportive care needs of patients and their caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the supportive care needs of patients with hematologic cancer and their caregivers. It was conducted using a convergent parallel design to understand the supportive care needs of these patients and their caregivers. More in-depth explanations were provided through simultaneous qualitative and quantitative data collection processes. At the beginning of the study, qualitative and quantitative data were collected in parallel and analyzed separately, and then the results were integrated. In the quantitative phase of the study, patients had high levels of care needs, whereas their caregivers had moderate levels of care needs. The qualitative phase provided a more detailed examination of supportive care needs. Based on the thematic analysis results, the needs of the patients and their caregivers were grouped under 3 main themes: (1) symptom management needs, (2) psychological needs, and (3) socio-economic needs. This study revealed that the care needs of patients with cancer and their caregivers are substantial, particularly in the areas of symptom management, psychological support, and socio-economic assistance.