Abstract
Purpose Develop an instrument to assess unmet needs in cancer patients using immuno-, biological and precision (IBP) therapies.
Methods Development followed COSMIN guidance. Instruments to assess unmet needs of advanced cancer patients were identifed, and quality and content were evaluated in a systematic review (Phase 1). Semi-structured interviews with patients utilising IBP therapies (n=31) and healthcare professionals (n=22) explored supportive care needs (Phase 2). Phase 3 selected a base instrument to adapt, generated new items and iteratively refined these through six meetings involving professionals (n=8) and public and patient involvement representatives (n=9) and patient cognitive interviews (n=16). Phase 4 piloted the new instrument (n=50 patients).
Results Twenty-four instruments were identifed; none was developed for patients utilising IBP therapies (Phase 1). Ten domains of unmet needs were identifed from the interview data (Phase 2). SCNS-SF34 was selected as the base instrument. Informed by interview data, an “add-on module” (SCNS-TARGET) was developed for patients utilising IBP therapies comprising 25 questions (psychological domain, 7 items; information, 6; healthcare, 5; economic, 3; role, 2; physical, 1; social, 1; Phase 3). Levels of missingness were low; reliability varied across questions, and, on average, patients reported 7.40 (standard deviation=8.43) unmet needs on SCNS-TARGET (Phase 4).
Conclusions SCNS-TARGET is designed for use alongside SCNS-SF34 to assess unmet needs in those using IBP therapies. Content and face validity have been established.
Implications for Cancer Survivors SCNS-TARGET can help researchers and healthcare professionals determine unmet needs and inform requirements for new services and interventions, among patients using IBP therapies.
Methods Development followed COSMIN guidance. Instruments to assess unmet needs of advanced cancer patients were identifed, and quality and content were evaluated in a systematic review (Phase 1). Semi-structured interviews with patients utilising IBP therapies (n=31) and healthcare professionals (n=22) explored supportive care needs (Phase 2). Phase 3 selected a base instrument to adapt, generated new items and iteratively refined these through six meetings involving professionals (n=8) and public and patient involvement representatives (n=9) and patient cognitive interviews (n=16). Phase 4 piloted the new instrument (n=50 patients).
Results Twenty-four instruments were identifed; none was developed for patients utilising IBP therapies (Phase 1). Ten domains of unmet needs were identifed from the interview data (Phase 2). SCNS-SF34 was selected as the base instrument. Informed by interview data, an “add-on module” (SCNS-TARGET) was developed for patients utilising IBP therapies comprising 25 questions (psychological domain, 7 items; information, 6; healthcare, 5; economic, 3; role, 2; physical, 1; social, 1; Phase 3). Levels of missingness were low; reliability varied across questions, and, on average, patients reported 7.40 (standard deviation=8.43) unmet needs on SCNS-TARGET (Phase 4).
Conclusions SCNS-TARGET is designed for use alongside SCNS-SF34 to assess unmet needs in those using IBP therapies. Content and face validity have been established.
Implications for Cancer Survivors SCNS-TARGET can help researchers and healthcare professionals determine unmet needs and inform requirements for new services and interventions, among patients using IBP therapies.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Journal of Cancer Survivorship |
| Early online date | 10 Apr 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 10 Apr 2025 |
Keywords
- Unmet needs
- Advanced cancer
- Immunotherapy
- Biological therapies
