El proceso asistencial de cáncer: Necesidades y expectativas de los usuarios

Abstract

Cancer is currently one of the most relevant health problems because its high frequency, rising incidence and chronic nature. It is necessary to evaluate how care is applied to cancer patients in order to develop strategies aimed at incorporating the patients' prospects to the care provision measures. The use of semi-structured interviews as a qualitative method facilitates the analysis about how oncological patients perceive the administered care, and permits to recognize the strong and weak points of it. The screening and diagnostic stages were identified as the most difficult moments of the oncological care process. Other aspects to be improved were found in relation to the absence of psychological support, appropriate everyday material conditions, and adequate continuity of post-hospital care.