Unmet needs, burden, and quality of life among family caregivers of patients with advanced hematological malignancy

This study investigates caregiver burden, unmet needs, and quality of life (QoL) in family caregivers (FCs) of patients with advanced hematology malignancies (HMs). A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted at a governmental hospital (Between April - July 2021), involving 197 FCs. The survey used three validated tools: Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer, Short form Zarit Burden Interview, and Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer. The findings revealed that psychological needs (average score 29.6) and daily activity needs (average score 26.5) were the most unmet. The majority of caregivers reported experiencing a high burden (51.3%) and poor QoL, with an average score of 72.1. Those with higher daily activity unmet needs (β = 0.214, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and higher financial unmet needs (β = 0.696, <i>p</i> = 0.044) were associated with poor QoL. Also, patients with higher psychological unmet needs (β = .414, <i>p</i> < .001) and higher burden scores (β = 0.542, <i>p</i> < 0.001) had poor QoL. These results highlight an urgent requirement for measures addressing the unmet needs of FCs of patients with HMs in Jordan. The study underscores the importance of healthcare professionals recognizing and supporting the mental, psychological, and social needs of FCs.