These complex narrative data require systematic investigation for identifying the explicit and tacit cognitive dimensions of needs.
The thrust of this research is to explore patient-based perceptions of end-of-life experiences in such a way that allows discovery of unknown dimensions of needs, some of which are not easily expressed or identifiable [ 52].
The dimension of need recorded by clinicians in epidemiological surveys is 'normative need', defined by Bradshaw (1972) as that "which the expert or professional, administrator or social scientist defines as need in any given situation.
Rather, the notion of cancer site- specific unmet needs appears to apply to only a few explicit dimensions of unmet need.
Different subjective criteria and dimensions of analysis need to be brought into the equation – with all of the attendant tensions and negotiations between the relevant actors.
Through an explorative study, Bao and Zhao (2009) highlighted three dimensions of individual need for face, which are ability-based, relationship-based and morality-based.
Also, geographical distribution of poverty and other dimensions of vulnerability need to be taken into consideration for the future, as these issues were left unanswered in social policy formulation in the past.
Furthermore, our results suggest that not all eight dimensions of PCC need to be given equal consideration in the care for patients with end-stage renal disease in order to improve patient outcomes.
The dimensions of participation, needs and barriers are analysed separately without combining them.
The SIAM-PC is designed to reliably measure the multiple dimensions of patients' needs for palliative care, and then to provide information to clinicians, patients, and the patients' families to achieve optimal patient care, while improving our capacity for doing palliative care research.
