This study asked outpatients with serious illnesses to identify concerns which are not being adequately responded to. Three major questions were addressed: (1) To what extent do the private office patients of an oncologist have concerns about their medical treatment, physical condition, financial expenses, family adjustment and personal coping? (2) To what extent do these office patients want to talk with someone about these concerns? (3) With what type of professional or nonprofessional would the office patients wish to discuss their concerns? Of 120 patients approached by the authors, 111 agreed to be questioned. The paper presents the data collected with discussion of its significance. (PFS)