Are visiting oncologists enough? A qualitative study of the needs of Australian rural and regional cancer patients, carers and health professionals.
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol
; 9(3): 226-38, 2013 Sep.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-22989350
ABSTRACT
AIM:
Survival rates for patients with cancer who live in rural and regional areas are worse than in metropolitan areas. This may be due to geographical isolation, delayed diagnosis, inadequate transport, lower socioeconomic status and workforce shortages. We conducted a qualitative study of rural patients, carers and health professionals. It aimed to identify concerns about, and strategies to optimize cancer care from those with direct experience.METHODS:
Focus groups and structured interviews were conducted in New South Wales, Australia at four rural and regional hospitals (Bega, Dubbo, Tamworth and Albury) and three metropolitan locations (in Sydney and the Jean Colvin Hostel) caring for rural patients. Sessions were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.RESULTS:
In total, 36 patients, 14 carers and 32 health professionals were interviewed in seven focus groups and 42 individual interviews. Concerns related to access to oncologists and other health professionals, and for services for investigation and treatment, the financial and social consequences of travel, unmet carer support needs and the hardships for health professionals. Strategies for improvement included comprehensive staffing and services coordinated in a hub and spoke model from adjacent larger centers, adequate reimbursement for travel and better carer support.CONCLUSION:
We identified broad concerns about regional and rural cancer care in Australia. The Australian Federal Government commitment of $560 million to establish regional cancer centers is welcome; however, improvements must extend beyond infrastructure funding in large regional centers to comprehensive staffing in centers currently lacking resident oncologists, travel support and assistance for carers.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Temas:
ECOS
/
Estado_mercado_regulacao
Bases de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Serviços de Saúde Rural
/
Oncologia
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol
Assunto da revista:
NEOPLASIAS
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália