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Comparing the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients with non-cancer and cancer diagnoses in a tertiary palliative care setting

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 November 2019

Suhair Bandeali Open the ORCID record for Suhair Bandeali [Opens in a new window] ,
Amanda Roze des Ordons  and
Aynharan Sinnarajah
Suhair Bandeali
Affiliation:
Department of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Amanda Roze des Ordons
Affiliation:
Division of Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Aynharan Sinnarajah*
Affiliation:
Division of Palliative Care, Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
*
Author for correspondence: Dr. Aynharan Sinnarajah, Foothills Medical Centre North Tower, Room 710, 1403 29th St NW, Calgary, Alberta, CanadaT2N 2T9. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective

The purpose was to describe the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual needs of patients with non-cancer serious illness diagnoses compared to those of patients with cancer.

Method

We conducted a retrospective chart review of all patients with a non-cancer diagnosis admitted to a tertiary palliative care unit between January 2008 and December 2017 and compared their needs to those of a matched cohort of patients with cancer diagnoses. The prevalence of needs within the following four main concerns was recorded and the data analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis:

  • • Physical: pain, dyspnea, fatigue, anorexia, edema, and delirium

  • • Psychological: depression, anxiety, prognosis, and dignity

  • • Social: caregiver burden, isolation, and financial

  • • Spiritual: spiritual distress

Results

The prevalence of the four main concerns was similar among patients with non-cancer and cancer diagnoses. Pain, nausea/vomiting, fatigue, and anorexia were more prevalent among patients with cancer. Dyspnea was more commonly the primary concern in patients with non-cancer diagnoses (39%), who also had a higher prevalence of anxiety and concerns about dignity. Spirituality was addressed more often in patients with cancer.

Significance of results

The majority of patients admitted to tertiary palliative care settings have historically been those with cancer. The tertiary palliative care needs of patients with non-cancer diagnoses have not been well described, despite the increasing prevalence of this population. Our description of the palliative care needs of patients with non-cancer diagnoses will help guide future palliative care for the increasing population of patients with non-cancer serious illness diagnoses.

Keywords

CancerCare needsChronic illnessPalliative careSymptom management
Type
Original Article
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 18 , Issue 5 , October 2020 , pp. 513 - 518
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Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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