Title:
Relatives’ Unmet Needs in the Last Year of Life of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Results of a Dutch Prospective, Longitudinal Study (eQuiPe)
Author: Obianuju Mba
Background:
Unmet needs of relatives of patients with advanced cancer not only reduce their own health-related quality of life, but may also negatively affect patients’ health outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess changes in relatives’ unmet needs of patients with advanced cancer in the last year of life and to identify differences in unmet needs by gender and type of relationship.
Design and Participants:
Relatives of patients with advanced cancer in the Netherlands were included in a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Relatives’ unmet needs were measured every 3 months with an adapted version of the Problems and Needs in Palliative Care (PNPC) questionnaire Caregiver form (44 items, 12 domains). Questionnaires completed in the patients’ last year of life were analyzed. Change of unmet needs in the last year, and differences in unmet needs by gender and type of relationship were analyzed.
Results:
Unmet needs were most prevalent at all time points during the last year in the domains “caring for the patient” (highest need = 35%), and “psychological issues” (highest need = 40%). The number of unmet needs of relatives did not change significantly during the last year of life (p=.807). There were no significant differences in the number of unmet needs between male and female partners and between partners and other relatives.
Commentary:
The most unmet needs for relatives were in the domains “caring for the patient” and “psychological issues”. Professional support should focus on these items. Within these domains it seems especially important that relatives get more knowledge and support about what scenarios to expect and how to deal with them. I think that as providers we have a lot on our plate in terms of making sure that the patients’ symptoms are managed properly and that they are being supported from a psychosocial standpoint. It would be beneficial to “check in” with caregivers to see if they have questions, assess their concerns, provide education and support for physically caring for the patient, and making sure that they feel comfortable and confident throughout the process.
Bottom Line:
While palliative care can be very successful in treating patients with advanced cancer, more attention needs to be paid to the caregiver's experience.
References:
Ham, L., Fransen, H. P., de Graeff, A., Hendriks, M. P., de Jong, W. K., Kloover, J., Kuip, E., Mandigers, C., Sommeijer, D., van de Poll, L., Raijmakers, N., & van Zuylen, L. (2025). Relatives' Unmet Needs in the Last Year of Life of Patients With Advanced Cancer: Results of a Dutch Prospective, Longitudinal Study (eQuiPe). Journal of palliative care, 40(1), 41–50.
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