Aim

Nurses are considered a major source of professional support for patients. However, little is known about what cancer patients need from nurses regarding professional support and the provision of services in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate professional nursing supportive care needs, perceived supply, and the possible gaps between the two for patients with cancer in mainland China.

Methods

A total of 390 inpatients with different types of cancer were recruited. The professional nursing supportive care scale was used to assess the needs for and perceived supply of various types of support.

Results

The information aspect was one of the most critical needs for supportive care, and the technical aspect was the one with the highest perceived level of supply. Significant mismatches between actual needs and perceived supply were identified.

Conclusions

Significant gaps existed between actual needs and perceived supply. Nurses should pay more attention to the higher actual needs and lower perceived levels of supply regarding supportive care for cancer patients.