Development and psychometric evaluation of 2 measures of perceived needs: 1 for young persons with cancer; 1 for parents [ 2004 - 2006 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Anthony Shakeshaft (Principal investigator) ,  Prof Afaf Girgis ,  Prof Robert Sanson-Fisher

Brief description It is increasingly acknowledged that there is a need to develop measures which allow patients to reflect their needs, so that the health-care system can respond effectively. Cancer patients represent some of the more poignant and in need groups. Of this patient cohort, young persons with cancer represent a group with potentially, and understandably, a wide range of high unmet needs. The stress and demands imposed upon parents who have children with cancer is acknowledged as being considerable. Despite the development of measures to identify unmet needs of various cancer patients including advanced, incurable cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, there has been no work to date on developing an accurate measure of unmet needs among parents of young persons who have cancer, as well as the unmet needs of young persons themselves who have cancer. This study will develop such a measure, as a first step in identifying the most cost-effective ways to address the unmet needs of children with cancer and their families. These measures will have a clinical application, in enabling accurate estimates of the prevalence of unmet needs, and a research application, in providing reliable and valid outcome measures for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions.

Funding Amount $AUD 253,500.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant