The difficulties and needs of elderly cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy in regional cities

The purpose of this study was to explore the difficulties and needs of elderly Japanese cancer patients undergoing outpatient chemotherapy in regional cities with limited information and human recourses, for outpatient nursing care. An inductive, qualitative research design was utilized, involving interviews with cancer patients ≥ 65-year-old who were continuing outpatient chemotherapy at hospitals in a regional city for three or more cycles. All of the patients provided their informed consent to participate in this study. The present study was approved by the ethics committee of both the participating university and hospital. There were 16 subjects, with a mean age, of 73.2 years. The treatment period of the outpatient chemotherapy ranged from three months to eight years. The participants identified the difficulties were classified into six groups; Treatment related side effects associated with various types of pain; A decrease in physical strength which was not expected to recover easily ; Shock of cancer diagnosis and relapse, etc. And the needs were classified into five groups; Continuing of therapy and their own life; Preparation for providing the information and the medical system to facilitate their in-home care; Providing for an accurate medical care and nursing, etc. This research clarified the difficulties and needs of elderly cancer patients who continued chemotherapy on an outpatient basis in regional cities. The patients were affected by symptoms which included the side effects of the chemotherapy. In addition, they felt insecurity with regard to their social isolation, slow restoration of strength, and the problems of living alone. Improvements in the outpatient nursing support for such elderly cancer patients are therefore required