The current State of supportive care in cancer: a national survey of healthcare providers and patients by the AFSOS.

PURPOSE: Supportive care in cancer (SCC) has a key role in improving quality of life and outcomes for patients on their cancer journey. The aim of the study was to assess improvements in supportive care organization in France. METHODS: A prospective, non-interventional (observational), multicentric, national, quantitative study was conducted in France in a two-part mirror survey of healthcare providers (HCPs) and patients with cancer. Participants were recruited using different channels and completed a digital questionnaire. The data was collected on the LimeSurvey software platform between 9 October and 6 December 2023. RESULTS: A total of 1259 HCPs and 2660 patients completed the survey. Most HCPs (87%) reported that their institution had some form of dedicated SCC organization, most as a dedicated division/department and/or a cross-functional organization. Ten to 15% of HCPs report not providing the essential services of psychological, nutrition, pain management and social worker support as defined by the National Cancer Institute. There was a disparity between HCPs' and patients' reports of the support offered and received, respectively, during the various key points during patients' cancer journeys. The five most significant barriers reported by patients to the implementation of supportive care were mainly a lack of visibility and information, followed by cost, distance from home, and ease of access to consultations. CONCLUSION: Although the organization of SCC has been growing over the past 20 years, further progress is needed, particularly regarding access to care and the assessment of the needs of patients and their caregivers.