A comparative study of health care for children with cancer in 1981 and 1991 in Taiwan.

ABSTRACT

This study compared the differences in health care for children with cancer in 1981 and 1991 in Taiwan. The concept of a well-established health care delivery system, including accessibility, continuity, efficiency, dynamism, and integration, served as the conceptual framework for the study. The results showed that (a) medical care improved--the length of time between symptom and diagnosis was shorter, the number of clinic visits before diagnosis decreased, and the length of time for hospitalization was much shorter with most children receiving their health care in the hospital near their home town; (b) pain control at the terminal stage improved with 70% of mothers stating that their child's pain had received appropriate care; and (c) the role and function of the physician and the nurse were more recognized by parents. The results of the study will assist program planners who are helping children with cancer to improve their health care system.