Supporting People and Their Caregivers Living with Advanced Cancer: From Individual Experience to a National Interdisciplinary Program.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the unmet needs of patients living with advanced cancer and their caregivers and to review strategies, including collaborating with community and non-profit organizations, to help improve the experience of living with, and beyond, advanced cancer. DATA SOURCES Published articles, first person experience (SB), community organization input, and survey data (Canadian Cancer Society). CONCLUSION: People living with advanced cancer face significant challenges, including persistent physical symptoms and psychosocial concerns, difficulties with coordination of care, and possible lack of available resources and supports if the person is no longer being followed by cancer health care professionals. More research is required to better understand the needs of patients and their caregivers living with advanced cancer. Existing resources and supports may be inadequate for this population, and delineation of the unique needs of this population may lead to tailored care plans and, ultimately, an improved experience for patients and caregivers alike. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE Oncology nurses are ideally suited to care for this population to help elucidate their unique unmet needs and collaborate with patients and other clinicians to develop interventions to address such unmet needs. Oncology nurses can liaise with community organizations to identify sources of support and resources for patients and their loved ones and advocate for improved care for patients affected by advanced cancer.