The aim of the present study was to review the literature about patients' needs.

Method and material: The method οf this study included bibliography research from both the review and the research literature, mainly in the pubmed data base which referred to the concept of "patients' needs".

Results: Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs which includes the basic needs (e.g. physiological, safety, love, and esteem) and growth needs (self-actualization). Each individual should firstly satisfy lower level basic needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. In the literature is cited that a disease either chronic or acute involves many needs in patients' lives such as psychosocial, physical, personal, practical and spiritual which are strongly related to the disease progress. Assessment and satisfaction of patients' needs are prerequisite for high quality of care. Knowledge of patients' religious attitudes and options ccontributes significantly to the prediction of their reactions and attitudes towards the disease.

Conclusions: Patients should be treated as bio-psychosocial-spiritual entities. This approach highlights the importance of integrating patients' needs into the therapeutic plan