Assessment and management of cancer-related fatigue: Health care providers’ perceptions

Abstract

Cancer-related fatigue is a common symptom that occurs in patients with cancer. This symptom is also experienced by cancer patients who receive chemotherapy, radiation therapy, bone marrow transplantation, or other cancer treatments. A survey conducted on 1569 cancer patients found that fatigue was experienced by 80% of cancer patients who received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. In patients with cancer that has metastasized, the prevalence of fatigue exceeds 75%. Patients who have healed from cancer report that fatigue is a symptom that is experienced for months or even years after the cancer treatment is over. Continued fatigue in cancer patients can interfere with their quality of life so that good assessment and management of this condition are needed. The purpose of this study is to identify the assessment and treatment of cancer-related fatigue currently conducted by health care providers in Indonesia. The study was conducted by requesting the participation of health care providers in an electronic survey carried out according to their respective roles. One hundred and twelve health care providers working with cancer patients consisting of nurses, doctors, nutritionists, and physiotherapists participated in this electronic survey. Overall, there is a perception that cancer-related fatigue is only assessed by less than one-third of health care providers, treatment is carried out only by a quarter of health care providers, and there are no clinical guidelines regarding the management of this condition. Awareness of interventions for fatigue varies among health care providers. There is no definitive clinical service for or management of cancer-related fatigue. The respondents identified the need for clinical guidelines both for the assessment and management of cancer-related fatigue, training and better expertise, and access to provide services to cancer patients who are experiencing fatigue.