Psychosocial needs assessment among an underserved, ethnically diverse cancer patient population

Little attention has been directed towards identifying and addressing the psychosocial needs of ethnic minority and underserved cancer patients. This study describes the development of a psychosocial needs survey and patterns and predictors of need among an ethnically diverse underserved cancer patient population in Bronx, New York. A 34-item psychosocial needs assessment survey was developed to assess 4 categories of need: Informational, Practical, Supportive, and Spiritual. A total of 248 oncology outpatients (48% non-Hispanic whites, 25% African Americans; 19% Hispanic) completed the survey in oncology clinic waiting rooms. The survey demonstrated high internal consistency and face validity. Ethnicity was the sole predictor of needs (P < .02), even after controlling for education, time since diagnosis, treatment status, marital status, and age. The mean percentage of needs endorsed by African Americans, Hispanics, and non-Hispanic whites respectively was 81%, 85%, 70% for Informational; 63%, 68%, 36% for Practical; 69%, 73%, 48% for Supportive; and 49%, 60%, 31% for Spiritual needs. This needs assessment offers clear directions in which to focus QOL intervention efforts among underserved and ethnic minority cancer patients.