THỰC TRẠNG NHU CẦU HỖ TRỢ VỀ CÔNG TÁC XÃ HỘI CỦA NGƯỜI BỆNH UNG THƯ TẠI TRUNG TÂM UNG BƯỚU, BỆNH VIỆN TRUNG ƯƠNG THÁI NGUYÊN NĂM 2026

Abstract

Objectives: To describe needs and the level of met need for hospital social work (SW) support among inpatients with cancer at the Oncology Center, Thai Nguyen National Hospital in 2026.

Subjects and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 315 inpatients at the Oncology Center from February to October 2026. Sample size was estimated using a single-proportion formula; all eligible patients present during the study period were included. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire developed based on Circular No. 43/2015/TT-BYT and analyzed using SPSS 25.0.

Results: Most patients were female (63.5%), aged 41-55 years (47.6%), and living in rural areas (71.4%). Health insurance coverage was 85.1%, but 60.0% were reimbursed only 80% of costs; only 25.1% could fully afford treatment, while 74.9% had to reduce spending or lacked sufficient resources. Patients reported high needs for SW services (75.0-92.0%), most notably for financial assistance for treatment, connection with physicians/nurses, and emotional encouragement; the proportion of needs actually met was substantially lower (30.0-60.0%), with an absolute need-met gap of 32-52 percentage points across most items, largest for treatment cost assistance and post-discharge emotional support.

Conclusion: Cancer inpatients have diverse needs for SW support, while the current level of met need remains limited across most domains. The underlying causes of this gap and further validation of the assessment tool should be established before broader application.