Physical and Emotional Needs

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 94 views

Study of Supportive Care Needs in Adolescents with Thalassemia in the USU Hospital Thalassemia Unit

Introduction

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia and other complications. In the United States, thalassemia affects approximately 1 in 100,000 people, with the majority being adolescents and young adults. The University of North Sumatra Hospital (USU) has a dedicated Thalassemia unit that provides comprehensive care to patients with thalassemia. However, there is a need to understand the supportive care needs of adolescents with thalassemia to improve their quality of life.

Background

Supportive care refers to the services needed by patients, including various aspects such as physical, emotional needs, hospital care, information, and practical needs. The Supportive Care Needs Assessment Tool for Indigenous People (SCNAT-IP) is a widely used instrument to assess the supportive care needs of patients. This study aims to identify the level of supporting care of teenagers who suffer from thalassemia, using a cross-sectional descriptive research design.

Methodology

This study used a total sampling technique, with 32 respondents. The measuring instrument used is a questionnaire modified from the SCNAT-IP. Data analysis was carried out with a univariate approach to get a clear picture of the needs of supportive care.

Results

The results showed that the priority of supportive care needs among adolescents with thalassemia is as follows: Practical needs (81.2%), hospital care needs (75.0%), information requirements (62.5%), and physical needs as well as emotional (6.2%). This data indicates that practical needs are the most urgent for respondents, showing the need for more attention in this aspect.

Practical Needs

Practical needs include various aspects such as the accessibility of health services, transportation, and support in undergoing therapy and maintenance. Increased priority of these needs shows that adolescents with thalassemia often face daily challenges that affect their quality of life. Therefore, health services need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to meet these practical needs, such as providing better facilities and providing adequate social support.

Hospital Care Needs

High hospital care needs also reflect the importance of a safe and comfortable environment for patients while undergoing treatment. This is very relevant, given the amount of time spent by patients in the hospital. Nursing services are expected to create a more supportive environment and reduce patient anxiety through a more human approach.

Information Needs

In addition, although information needs have lower priorities compared to practical needs and care, it is still important to provide appropriate education and information to patients and their families. Good knowledge about thalassemia, treatment, and disease management can help patients in dealing with their conditions better and reduce uncertainty.

Physical and Emotional Needs

On the other hand, physical and emotional needs that get the lowest percentage should not be ignored. This aspect is very important for mental health and patient welfare, so that attention to these needs still needs to be done, even though the number looks smaller.

Conclusion

By understanding the diverse needs of supportive care in adolescents with thalassemia, the University of North Sumatra Hospital is expected to improve more holistic and effective health services. It is recommended that nursing services provide a comfortable place during treatment and further increase attention to the patient's practical needs. With a more integrated approach, it is hoped that adolescents with thalassemia can experience better care and more optimal quality of life.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase attention to practical needs: Health services need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to meet the practical needs of adolescents with thalassemia, such as providing better facilities and providing adequate social support.
Improve hospital care: Nursing services need to create a more supportive environment and reduce patient anxiety through a more human approach.
Provide education and information: Patients and their families need to be provided with appropriate education and information about thalassemia, treatment, and disease management.
Address physical and emotional needs: Attention should be given to the physical and emotional needs of adolescents with thalassemia, as these aspects are very important for mental health and patient welfare.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of supportive care needs.
Limited scope: The study focused on adolescents with thalassemia, and the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.

Future Directions

Future studies should aim to:

Increase the sample size: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Use a longitudinal design: Future studies should use a longitudinal design to capture the dynamic nature of supportive care needs.
Explore other populations: Future studies should explore other populations, such as adults with thalassemia, to improve the understanding of supportive care needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of understanding the supportive care needs of adolescents with thalassemia. The findings of this study suggest that practical needs, hospital care needs, information needs, and physical and emotional needs are all important aspects of supportive care. Health services need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to meet these needs, and nursing services need to create a more supportive environment. With a more integrated approach, it is hoped that adolescents with thalassemia can experience better care and more optimal quality of life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Supportive Care Needs in Adolescents with Thalassemia

Q: What is thalassemia?

A: Thalassemia is a genetic disorder that affects the production of hemoglobin, leading to anemia and other complications.

Q: What is supportive care?

A: Supportive care refers to the services needed by patients, including various aspects such as physical, emotional needs, hospital care, information, and practical needs.

Q: What are the priority needs of adolescents with thalassemia?

A: The priority needs of adolescents with thalassemia are practical needs (81.2%), hospital care needs (75.0%), information requirements (62.5%), and physical needs as well as emotional (6.2%).

Q: Why are practical needs the most urgent for adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Practical needs include various aspects such as the accessibility of health services, transportation, and support in undergoing therapy and maintenance. Increased priority of these needs shows that adolescents with thalassemia often face daily challenges that affect their quality of life.

Q: What can health services do to meet the practical needs of adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Health services need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to meet the practical needs of adolescents with thalassemia, such as providing better facilities and providing adequate social support.

Q: Why is hospital care important for adolescents with thalassemia?

A: High hospital care needs also reflect the importance of a safe and comfortable environment for patients while undergoing treatment. This is very relevant, given the amount of time spent by patients in the hospital.

Q: What can nursing services do to create a more supportive environment for adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Nursing services need to create a more supportive environment and reduce patient anxiety through a more human approach.

Q: Why is education and information important for adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Good knowledge about thalassemia, treatment, and disease management can help patients in dealing with their conditions better and reduce uncertainty.

Q: What are the physical and emotional needs of adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Physical and emotional needs that get the lowest percentage should not be ignored. This aspect is very important for mental health and patient welfare, so that attention to these needs still needs to be done, even though the number looks smaller.

Q: What are the recommendations for improving supportive care for adolescents with thalassemia?

A: The following recommendations are made:

Increase attention to practical needs: Health services need to develop a more comprehensive strategy to meet the practical needs of adolescents with thalassemia, such as providing better facilities and providing adequate social support.
Improve hospital care: Nursing services need to create a more supportive environment and reduce patient anxiety through a more human approach.
Provide education and information: Patients and their families need to be provided with appropriate education and information about thalassemia, treatment, and disease management.
Address physical and emotional needs: Attention should be given to the physical and emotional needs of adolescents with thalassemia, as these aspects are very important for mental health and patient welfare.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including:

Small sample size: The sample size of this study is relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Cross-sectional design: The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of supportive care needs.
Limited scope: The study focused on adolescents with thalassemia, and the findings may not be generalizable to other populations.

Q: What are the future directions for research on supportive care needs in adolescents with thalassemia?

A: Future studies should aim to:

Increase the sample size: Future studies should aim to increase the sample size to improve the generalizability of the findings.
Use a longitudinal design: Future studies should use a longitudinal design to capture the dynamic nature of supportive care needs.
Explore other populations: Future studies should explore other populations, such as adults with thalassemia, to improve the understanding of supportive care needs.