Many cancer survivors experience cognitive impairments that impact memory, concentration, speed of information processing, and decision making. These impairments, collectively known as cancer-related cognitive impairments (CRCIs), are a key domain of unmet needs and can significantly impact a cancer survivor’s identity and quality of life. However, there are no purpose-built, multi-domain, needs assessment tools specifically for CRCI. The development of such tools requires an in-depth understanding of cancer survivors’ CRCI-specific challenges and associated needs. This study explored the challenges and associated needs of cancer survivors with persistent CRCI. An in-depth qualitative design using semi-structured interviews with (a) cancer survivors with perceived CRCI (n = 32) and (b) oncology health professionals (n = 19) was utilised. A reflexive thematic analysis of the interviews resulted in five overarching themes: (1) executing regular activities, (2) relational difficulties, (3) occupational functioning, (4) psychological distress, and (5) social functioning, as well as an additional informational needs domain. Ultimately, CRCI was found to directly produce a range of challenges that negatively, and persistently, impact cancer survivors’ quality of life. Cancer survivors were also found to have a range of needs associated with these challenges. This research should be used to inform future challenges and needs assessment tools as well as treatment and supportive care priority areas directly relating to CRCI.
许多癌症幸存者经历着影响记忆、专注力、信息处理速度和决策能力的认知功能障碍。这些统称为癌症相关认知功能障碍（CRCIs）的损害，是未满足需求的关键领域，可能显著影响癌症幸存者的自我认同和生活质量。然而，目前尚无专门针对CRCI设计的多维度需求评估工具。开发此类工具需要深入理解癌症幸存者在CRCI方面的具体挑战及相关需求。本研究探讨了持续存在CRCI的癌症幸存者所面临的挑战及相关需求。研究采用深入的质性设计，对（a）自感存在CRCI的癌症幸存者（n = 32）和（b）肿瘤医疗专业人员（n = 19）进行了半结构化访谈。通过反思性主题分析，访谈内容归纳出五大核心主题：（1）日常活动执行困难，（2）人际关系障碍，（3）职业功能受损，（4）心理困扰，以及（5）社会功能减退，同时发现了一个额外的信息需求领域。研究最终表明，CRCI直接引发了一系列对癌症幸存者生活质量产生持续负面影响的挑战，同时发现癌症幸存者针对这些挑战存在多方面的需求。本研究结果可为未来开发针对CRCI的挑战与需求评估工具，以及制定与CRCI直接相关的治疗和支持性护理优先领域提供重要依据。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家