SURVEY OF THE PROVISION OF SUPPORTIVE CARE SERVICES AT NATIONAL-CANCER-INSTITUTE - DESIGNATED CANCER CENTERS

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to determine the scope of supp ortive care services (SCS) designed to promote quality of life during cancer therapies at National Cancer Institute (NCl)-designated cancer centers. Methods: A survey was mailed to the medical directors and nur sing directors of 52 NCl-designated comprehensive (n = 26), clinical ( n = 11), and planning cancer centers (n = 15) in the United States. On ly one survey was completed from each institution. Survey questions id entified services provided such as pain management, terminal care, psy chosocial programs, and spiritual care. Results: Thirty-nine questionn aires were received for a total response rate of 75%. Of the responden ts, 45% were comprehensive cancer centers, 24% clinical cancer centers , and 29% planning centers. One center did not identify their NCl desi gnation. Sixty-one percent of the centers reported research programs i n supportive care. Outside funding was reported in 51% of the responde nts, with 39% having American Cancer Society (ACS) or National Institu tes of Health (NIH) funding and 28% having private industry funding. O verall SCS self-ratings improved from a 21% rating of excellent to ver y good 5 years ago to the current 54% rating. Conclusion: Survey resul ts provide data on SCS across a representative sample of NCI cancer ce nters and con be used to develop standards for future cancer control p rograms. (C) 1995 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.