Background:
Taiwan, a densely populated and rapidly aging society, boasts a high-performing universal health system through the National Health Insurance (NHI), covering nearly 99% of its 23.5 million citizens. While the National Cancer Control Plan emphasizes integrating psychosocial support into cancer care, systemic and cultural barriers persist in the delivery of comprehensive psycho-oncology services.
Objective:
This presentation aims to examine the current landscape of psychosocial care for cancer patients in Taiwan through a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, and to propose strategies for strengthening service delivery and integration.
Methods:
Using a policy and systems-based SWOT framework, data from national policies, professional society reports, and clinical observations were synthesized to assess Taiwan’s psychosocial oncology infrastructure. Areas of evaluation included service coverage using data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD), professional training, access disparities, public perceptions, and digital health innovations.
Results:
Strengths include the integration of psychosocial care in cancer plans, reimbursement through NHI, and emerging professional training programs. Weaknesses involve unmet psychosocial needs demonstrated by NHIRD data, lack of standardization, workforce shortages, limited psychosocial training, and persistent stigma. Opportunities lie in public education, international collaboration, and telehealth expansion. Threats include increased cancer burden due to population aging, healthcare inequities, and funding limitations.
Conclusion:
To promote holistic cancer care, Taiwan aims to expand access to standardized psychosocial services through the establishment of treatment guidelines, incentivized programs, and the inclusion of psychosocial elements in cancer care plans. Public awareness efforts, including national health campaigns such as the establishment of World Psycho-Oncology Day, are also key strategies to destigmatize and normalize psychosocial care within the oncology setting.