ActionRationale

1. 1.Show
   Identify a quiet, private area in which to conduct the assessment.
   To ensure that the environment is conducive to confidential and private discussion (Doyle and Henry [92], C).
2. 2.Show
   Introduce self to the individual living with and beyond cancer.
   To establish professional and clinical rapport (Doyle and Henry [92], E).
3. 3.Show
   Outline the purpose of holistic needs assessment and gain consent to proceed.
   To gain the consent and cooperation of the individual affected by cancer (Hughes et al. [125], C).
4. 4.Show
   Explain the holistic needs assessment screening tool, e.g. distress thermometer.
   To ensure that the individual has an in‐depth understanding of the processes being followed (Brennan et al. [28], E).
5. 5.Show
   Encourage the individual to indicate their level of distress using the distress thermometer.
   To ascertain the degree of distress being experienced by the individual (Brennan et al. [28], E).
6. 6.Show
   Encourage the individual to indicate those factors which are causing/contributing to his/her experience of distress using the concerns checklist.
   To ascertain the sources of distress being experienced by the individual (Brennan et al. [28], E).
7. 7.Show
   Explore highlighted issues if this is deemed appropriate.
   To clarify the extent of distress being experienced by the individual (Doyle and Henry [92], E).
8. 8.Show
   Develop a care plan in collaboration.
   To facilitate the development of an appropriate response in partnership to the extent and sources of distress (Doyle and Henry [92], E).