Abstract CN67
Background
There is an increasing number of people living with and beyond a diagnosis of lymphoma worldwide. Yet, knowledge pertaining to lymphoma-specific needs of survivors is limited. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to establish the current understanding of the unmet needs of lymphoma cancer survivors.
Methods
To appraise current knowledge relating to lymphoma survivors’ unmet needs, a rapid review was chosen, this involves systematic review which balances time constraints in relating to the consideration of bias. A systematic search of CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycInfo and Scopus was conducted. Data relating to lymphoma survivors’ unmet needs were screened, extracted, and synthesised using a thematical approach.
Results
Thirty-six articles met the inclusion criteria, over half were published in the last five years (range 2009 – 2020) and mostly originated in the United States (n = 13) and Australia (n = 7). 78% of included studies employed quantitative methods, mostly cross-sectional designs (n = 16) with five studies using qualitative approaches. Participants were recruitment via cancer registries (33%) and from single sites (30%). Disparity in the reporting of demographics inhibits further analysis to generate a more substantive understanding of this cohort. Many lymphoma survivors are dependent on health services, however disruptions to continuity of care at the end of treatment, involving abrupt transition and a sense of abandonment highlights an unmet need relating to health service delivery. Unmet psychosocial needs involved impaired concentration or memory and existential concerns, with loss of strength and physical function resulting in unmet physical needs. A range of financial difficulties have been reported in the literature, showing an assortment of concerns exist for lymphoma survivors.
Conclusions
Lymphoma cancer survivors experience a myriad of unmet needs across multiple domains. Key limitations of current literature include the insufficient reporting of demographics and the scant use of qualitative or mixed method approaches. Future research is required to address the sparse focus on lymphoma-specific research and disparate reporting which impairs a comprehensive understanding of lymphoma cancer survivors’ needs.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
1252 PhD Scholarship, Trinity College Dublin; School of Nursing & Midwifery PhD Scholarship, Trinity College Dublin.
Disclosure
A. Drury: Non-Financial Interests, Institutional, Member, Board Member: EONS. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.