Syöpään sairastuneet ja heidän läheisensä tarvitsevat tukea ja palveluohjausta – Syöpäjärjestöjen ammattilaisten näkökulma

n This study was carried out to examine what kind of information and support cancer patients and their close persons need, and how these should be developed from the perspective of cancer organizations’ professionals. Additional aim was to investigate collaboration possibilities between cancer organizations and public healthcare. A structured questionnaire was carried out in 2017 among the employees of the cancer organizations (n=35). Based on the results of the questionnaire, three focus group interviews among healthcare professionals (n=12) and three among managers (n=9) were carried out. The quantitative questionnaire data was analyzed with descriptive statistical methods, where distribution analysis and cross-tabulations were applied. Qualitative data was analyzed by content analysis. Based on the questionnaire and interviews, professionals perceived that cancer patients and their close ones would need more information about the cancer disease, cancer treatment and special professionals´ services, as well as psychosocial support and economical counseling. Some close ones may need more support than the patients themselves. Professionals in public healthcare should provide counselling concerning public and non-governmental services especially in the beginning of the care path. Nonprofit organizations have resources to respond to the needs of cancer patients and their close ones, for which resources in public health care are often limited. There is a need to develop their services through social pedagogical working methods such as inclusion of persons and dialogue. Cancer organizations’ professional staff is keen in strengthening the cooperation with the public sector. Strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations has also been one of the objectives of the structural social and healthcare reform.