Opinions of patients with oncological disease regarding the need for support from their families

Introduction
All people, especially patients with cancer, need a specific type of support. This study investigated the respondents’ opinions about their need for support from family members.

Material and methods
185 patients took part in the study. The following surveys were used: the authors’ survey, the affluence scale, and the social support scale by Kmiecik-Baran.

Results
The greatest level of information support for spouses/partners was provided by doctors (average 11.2 points) and other family members. Instrumental support averaged 9.1 points, evaluative support averaged 9.9 points, and emotional support averaged 10.9 points. Children of sick parents received the highest level of informational support from other family members (average of 9.7 points), instrumental support – from friends (average 9.1 points), evaluative support – from nurses (average of 8.2 points), and emotional support – from other family members (average 10.4 points). Most respondents reported that the problem in the provision of support from family members resulted from the lack of knowledge about their disease.

Conclusions
According to the surveyed patients, family members received the highest levels of informational, instrumental, appraisal, and emotional support primarily from other family members and the lowest from psychologists and nurses. Most patients with oncological disease reported that their families should expand their knowledge about their disease to provide support for them. They perceived the educator’s role primarily as that of a physician.