Integrative review of the supportive care needs of Arab people affected by cancer

Abstract

This review aimed to identify the unmet supportive care needs to conduct an integrative review of the literature, to identify the unmet supportive care needs of Arab people affected by cancer (patients and caregivers), and the impact of these needs on quality of life and psychosocial well-being. In July 2015 databases, search engines and electronic list servers were searched, with no limit on the year of publication. Reference lists of included articles and published reviews were also hand searched. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies examined the supportive care/unmet needs of Arab cancer patients and their family caregivers. Language, communication, information, and the need to get relief from dependency were the most frequently reported unmet needs among Arab cancer patients. For immigrant Arab patients, physical unmet needs were higher than other migrant groups and native Anglo-Australians. Arab caregivers’ unmet needs included concerns about providing suitable care for their family member, sharing their experience with other caregivers, obtaining information, and, in the case of pediatric cancers, dealing with siblings’ emotional reactions. The existing literature exploring the unmet supportive care needs of Arab people affected by cancer is limited suggesting that comprehensive studies are needed to enhance our understanding of these needs and to inform service planning.

Supportive Care Needs Assessment for Cancer Survivors at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Middle East: Mending the Gap

“…Very few studies conducted and highlighted few needs, such as physical and psychological, focusing on cancer patients in the first place as well as cancer survivors. In two studies conducted by Alananzeh et al, one was a review article of the Supportive Care Needs of Arab People affected by any type of cancer, and the other was an original research article aimed at exploring the unmet supportive care needs of both Arab-Australian and Arab-Jordanian cancer survivors [ 25 , 26 ].…”

Psychological distress and quality of life among Jordanian women diagnosed with breast cancer: The role of trait mindfulness

“…Furthermore, social support is a determinant of increased survival among women diagnosed with breast cancer (Ferrell, 1996). Despite the importance of social support, there is limited research on its effect on QOL in Jordanian women with breast cancer (Alananzeh, Levesque, Kwok, & Everett, 2016;Rahou et al, 2016).…”

Psycho‐oncology in the Arab world: The time is now

“…The Arab culture is known for its solid connection between community members; both nuclear and extended family play a substantial role in decision-making relating to marriage, housing, financial support, health maintenance, and caregiving. 7 As a result of this collective approach, patients typically receive considerable social support from both their family and community. Consequently, it is common for patients diagnosed with cancer to remain unaware of their illness based on the request of a caregiver.…”

“…On the other hand, sociocultural barriers continue to dampen the enhanced uptake and catalyzed development of more psychosocial services. The Arab culture is known for its solid connection between community members; both nuclear and extended family play a substantial role in decision‐making relating to marriage, housing, financial support, health maintenance, and caregiving 7 . As a result of this collective approach, patients typically receive considerable social support from both their family and community.…”