Carry on: Study of Psychosocial Needs of Oncological Patients of the Azores–Proposal for a Support Model

Abstract

The number of new cases of cancer in Azores and the transfer of oncological patients to mainland Portugal for specialized treatment raise concerns about psychological adaptation and suitable support care. Further studies regarding the lack of support interventions available to meet the needs of Azorean oncological patients and survivors are required. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to evaluate psychosocial needs and other psychological adaptation variables among adult oncological survivors from the Azores; and (2), ensuing from objective (1), to develop a pilot study to test a model of support with a group of oncological patients from the Azores. Two studies will be performed. The first deals with objective (1) as described. Based on results obtained, a randomized control trial assessment will be run to test a support model based on the patient advocacy movement with oncological patients. The assessment protocol will be administrated three times: before and after the model's implementation and, again, as a follow-up. Results should enhance knowledge of assessing psychological adaptation variables involved in disease trajectory while testing a support model addressing this study major concerns. These, as suggested, relate to lack of support interventions to meet the psychosocial needs of oncological patients and survivors from the Azores. Given the peculiar experience of Azorean oncological patients’, while away from their homes, there is a need to ensure adequate health care services on their behalf. Hence, the importance of devising ways to monitor their psychosocial needs in order to overcome some of these constraints.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.