Perceived communication efficacy and unmet needs for chemotherapy-associated symptom management in patients with lung and colorectal cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Understanding cancer patients' unmet needs for chemotherapy-related symptom management will assist clinicians in developing tailored intervention programs. Little is known about the association between perceived communication efficacy and unmet care needs for symptom management in patients with lung and colorectal cancer. Objectives: To examine the unmet care needs for symptom management of patients with lung and colorectal cancer and their association with perceived communication efficacy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a tertiary hospital in China from July to November 2020. A convenience sample of 203 patients with lung and colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy completed survey questionnaires, including the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory Scale and the Perceived Efficacy in Patient‒Physician Interactions Scale. Results: Approximately 43% of participants had at least one symptom with unmet needs. Fatigue was reported as the symptom with the highest occurrence (66%), the highest demand for supportive care (36%), and the highest prevalence of unmet needs (19%). Low levels of perceived communication efficacy independently predicted participants' unmet needs for symptom management (β=-0.13, p = 0.011). Conclusions: This study highlights the necessity of introducing clinical assessment tools and guidelines to address fatigue and other chemotherapy-induced symptoms in patients with lung and colorectal cancer. Clinical programs designed to actively engage cancer patients to voice their needs and strengthen their communication efficacy are also warranted. Key messages: i) What was already known? Patients with lung and colorectal cancer are prone to suffering from extremely high symptom burden associated with chemotherapy. Patient communication efficacy plays a crucial role in successful symptom control. ii) What are the new findings? Unmet needs for chemotherapy-associated symptom management are prevalent in patients with lung and colorectal cancer in China. Perceived communication efficacy by patients with lung and colorectal cancer independently predicted their unmet needs for symptom management. iii) Implications for practice, theory or policy: A patient-centered communication approach that fosters respect and encourages information sharing should be adopted clinically. Clinical training programs that strengthen core communication skills in healthcare professionals in direct patient-facing roles are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]