# “Showing some care”: interest-holders’ perspectives on addressing health-related social conditions in ovarian cancer

## TL;DR

This study explores how to integrate social care into ovarian cancer treatment by gathering perspectives from patients, caregivers, and clinicians.

## Contribution

The study provides practical insights into assessing and addressing health-related social conditions in ovarian cancer care.

## Key findings

- Patients and caregivers support empathetic discussions about social conditions with clinicians.
- Common social conditions include food insecurity, housing instability, and financial hardship.
- Participants found HRSC screening questions and a community resource referral document helpful.

## Abstract

Health-related social conditions (HRSCs) are modifiable factors affecting ovarian cancer outcomes. How best to manage HRSCs as part of ovarian cancer care remains unclear. We sought interest-holder perspectives on HRSC assessment and assistance to inform integration of social care with gynecologic oncology practice.

In this qualitative descriptive study, we conducted individual, semi-structured interviews with patients with ovarian cancer, their caregivers, and oncology clinicians from an academic medical center. We solicited thoughts on HRSC assessment and assistance, including whether and how HRSC discussions should occur, as well as opinions on a 20-item HRSC assessment and a community resource referral document. We analyzed data using the Rigorous and Accelerated Data Reduction (RADaR) technique.

Participants (n = 14) included 5 patients with ovarian cancer, 4 caregivers, and 5 clinicians. Patients and caregivers were open to HRSC conversations with clinicians from various disciplines if undertaken with empathy, respect, and active listening. In addition to common HRSCs like food insecurity and housing instability, participants endorsed attending to religion/spirituality and assessing for financial hardship, interpersonal violence, psychological support, and neighborhood safety. Patients and clinicians characterized the HRSC screening questions as straightforward and in-depth. All participants felt the community resource referral document was well-organized and helpful.

Even in the context of a life-threatening disease, participants affected by and caring for patients with ovarian cancer regard social conditions as relevant to cancer care. Our findings inform practical considerations of who, what, when, where, why, and how HRSC assessment and assistance can be undertaken in oncology.

Graphical Abstract