Economic Problems and Loneliness as Factors Related to Subjective Unmet Health Needs in People with Chronic Diseases and Dependency Martínez Linares, José Manuel López-Entrambasaguas, Olga María Sola-García, Miguel Díaz Meco Niño, Ana María García-Redecillas, Carmen Needs assessment Disabled person Qualitative research Chronic diseases Nursing Care Vulnerable group Background: The continuous increase of people with chronic diseases is one of the greatest challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Population growth and life expectancy means that an increasing number of people with chronic diseases and dependency need some kind of assistance to meet their needs. Determining these subjective unmet needs helps to understand the situation of these people. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of chronic patients over 65 years of age from the day-care center toward subjective health needs that are not being met by the socio-health system. Methods: Qualitative exploratory-descriptive study. Through convenience sampling, we selected people with chronic diseases and dependency who used day-care centers and met the inclusion criteria. Focus groups were performed. The data were transcribed and a thematic analysis was carried out using Atlas.ti software. Results: The topics resulting from the analysis were classified into dissatisfaction of biological/physiological needs, psychological needs, social needs, and other issues that arose in both groups of participants which referred to the types of needs previously indicated. The issues related to social and psycho-social needs stood out. Conclusions: People with chronic diseases and dependency have their physiological needs covered with the help they receive, but their situation of dependency generates additional costs that worsen their economic situation. However, their greatest need is due to the loneliness they feel and the feeling they have of “being a burden” on their families. 2020-05-04T05:20:15Z 2020-05-04T05:20:15Z 2020-04-23 info:eu-repo/semantics/article López-Entrambasaguas OM, Martínez-Linares JM, Sola-García M, García-Redecillas C, Díaz-Meco-Niño AM. Economic Problems and Loneliness as Factors Related to Subjective Unmet Health Needs in People with Chronic Diseases and Dependency International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020, 17, 2924; doi:10.3390/ijerph17082924 http://hdl.handle.net/10481/61742 10.3390/ijerph17082924 eng Jose Manuel Martínez-Linares; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/es/ info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Atribución-NoComercial-SinDerivadas 3.0 España MDPI AG