Supportive Care Needs and Symptom Assessment Among Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Abstract
The study aimed to examine the relationship between supportive care needs and symptom assessment among patients receiving chemotherapy. A cross-sectional and correlational design was employed with a sample of one 108 outpatients undergoing chemotherapy. Data were collected using the Patient Information Form, the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples Student’s t-test, one-way ANOVA, and advanced multiple regression analysis were used for data analysis. The sample had a mean age of 50.05 years, a mean time since diagnosis of 18.93 months, a mean duration of chemotherapy of 16.40 months, and a cumulative total of 16.69 chemotherapy cycles; 33.3% were diagnosed at stage 3. The total mean score for supportive care needs was 85.33 (SD=24.77), while the mean total mean score for symptom assessment was 60.68 (SD=19.12). A moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation was identified between supportive care needs and symptom assessment scores (r=.449**; p=.000). In addition, several symptom variables explained 43.7% of the variance in supportive care needs (R²=.437; p<.001). Outpatients receiving chemotherapy demonstrated high levels of supportive care needs, and increases in supportive care needs were associated with more intense symptom experiences. Symptom experiences explained a meaningful proportion of variance in supportive care needs, underscoring symptom assessment as a critical determinant in patient care.
Keywords
Supporting Institution
Ethical Statement
Thanks
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Fundamentals of Nursing
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
April 16, 2026
Submission Date
October 8, 2025
Acceptance Date
March 16, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 35 Number: 1