The impact of unmet needs on the quality of life of family caregivers of adult patients with cancer in Oman: A Cross-Sectional study

Family caregivers (FCs) of patients with cancer often experience unmet needs that can negatively impact their quality of life (QOL). In Oman, limited evidence exists regarding these unmet needs and their impact on caregivers’ QOL. To explore the impact of unmet needs on the QOL of FCs of adult patients with cancer in Oman. A descriptive cross-sectional design utilizing a self-administered questionnaire were used to collect data from 198 FCs recruited from all major oncology centers in Oman. Consecutive sampling was employed to recruit FCs. Data were collected using adapted versions of the Needs Assessment of Family Caregivers-Cancer (NAFC-C) and the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) scales. Descriptive, correlation, and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Many FCs (51 %) reported high levels of unmet needs, and these were mostly related to medical care (60.6 %), psychosocial support (53 %), and daily activity assistance (52.5 %). The FCs’ mean QOL score was 63.33 (SD = 18.51), with 51 % scoring below the mean, indicating poor QOL. Positive adaptation was particularly low, with 95.5 % of caregivers scoring below the mean. The psychosocial and financial unmet needs were significant predictors of caregivers’ QOL. The FCs of cancer patients in Oman have significant psychosocial and medical unmet needs. The psychosocial and financial unmet needs had the most significant impact on QOL and require intervention to improve caregivers’ health outcomes. Developing structured support programs focusing on psychosocial support and social support may enhance health outcomes of FCs in Oman and other settings with similar characteristics.