Perceived Healthcare Team Support and Emotional Health Among Gynecologic Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Gynecologic oncology survivors face many challenges during and after their cancer treatment. Emotional and social support can help mitigate the potential negative effects on quality of life and can improve patients’ mental health. Our objective for this study was to assess whether patients’ satisfaction with the support received from their healthcare team was associated with less anxiety, depression, or distress. Individuals with a previous gynecologic cancer diagnosis treated at the University of Minnesota completed a cross-sectional survey regarding their satisfaction with support provided by various members of their healthcare team: physicians, nurses, and other support staff. Participants of this study were on average 60.6±10.6 years old, with 45.0% diagnosed with endometrial cancer and 37.2% diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The overwhelming majority (82.9%) of respondents were highly satisfied with the care they received and valued this support. Overall, this study found that gynecologic oncology patients receiving care at the University of Minnesota are satisfied with the emotional support they are receiving from their healthcare team. Our conclusion does not address our initial aim due to subject’s high level of and little variation in satisfaction with support received. Future research gathering longitudinal data from diagnosis through treatment and beyond would provide further insight into gynecologic oncology patient’s emotional health as it relates to emotional support satisfaction.