[Geographical and economic barriers to access to oncology services offered by the National Cancer Institute in Bogota, Colombia]. / Barreras geográficas y económicas para el acceso a los servicios oncológicos del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología en Bogotá.

OBJECTIVE: Geographical and economic barriers to access to National Cancer Institute (NCI) oncology services were evaluated; such approach revealed the need for alternatives for dealing with these issues and considering studies aimed at assessing similar problems and resolving them. METHODS: An analytical empirical approach used qualitative and quantitative statistical methods were used within a context of social concern. RESULTS: Only 176 out of 3 391 patients had access to the 'Temporary-housing programme' during 2005, covering 5,19 % of all patients coming from remote regions of Colombia. Most patients were women who were looking for alternatives outside the institutional programmes being offered. CONCLUSION: There is a need to fix gender inequity and search for better housing alternatives to providing refuges, providing access to specialised treatment and the need for attending people with dignity and ensuring quality of life. The study led to proposing new short-, medium- and long-term alternatives for improving health service access.

Barreras geográficas y económicas para el acceso a los servicios oncológicos del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología en Bogotá / Geographical and economic barriers to access to Oncology services offered by the National Cancer Institute in Bogota, Colombia

Objetivo Se realiza una aproximación a las barreras geográficas y económicas para el acceso a los servicios oncológicos del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología-INC; Se presenta la necesidad de plantear alternativas para afrontar estas problemáticas y considerar estudios que evalúen problemáticas similares y sus soluciones Métodos Se utilizaron los métodos cualitativo y cuantitativo en lo referente a datos estadísticos, dentro de un contexto de interés social, con un enfoque empírico analítico. Resultados Se encontró que durante el 2005, tuvieron acceso al programa de albergues solo 176 pacientes de los 3 391 pacientes provenientes de regiones del país distintas a Bogotá atendidos en el mismo periodo; es decir que el programa solo cubrió el 5,19 por ciento de los pacientes de diferentes lugares del país. De igual manera se encontró que se debe afrontar la inequidad de género que hasta la fecha se ha venido presentando con los varones. Conclusiones Se deben buscar alternativas de alojamiento diferentes a los albergues, que hagan posible el acceso al tratamiento especializado con dignidad y calidad de vida. El estudio permitió plantear alternativas de solución a corto, mediano y largo plazo.

Objective Geographical and economic barriers to access to National Cancer Institute (NCI) oncology services were evaluated; such approach revealed the need for alternatives for dealing with these issues and considering studies aimed at assessing similar problems and resolving them. Methods An analytical empirical approach used qualitative and quantitative statistical methods were used within a context of social concern. Results Only 176 out of 3 391 patients had access to the "Temporary-housing programme" during 2005, covering 5,19 percent of all patients coming from remote regions of Colombia. Most patients were women who were looking for alternatives outside the institutional programmes being offered. Conclusion There is a need to fix gender inequity and search for better housing alternatives to providing refuges, providing access to specialised treatment and the need for attending people with dignity and ensuring quality of life. The study led to proposing new short-, medium- and long-term alternatives for improving health service access.