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Accepted (AM)Open Access (License Unspecified), Open
Journal article
How cancer programs identify and address the financial burdens of rural cancer patients
Supportive care in cancer, v 30(3), pp 2047-2058
01 Mar 2022
PMID: 34655327
Featured in Collection : UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel
Abstract
Financial toxicity is associated with negative patient outcomes, and rural populations are disproportionately affected by the high costs of cancer care compared to urban populations. Our objective was to (1) understand cancer programs' perceptions of rural-urban differences in cancer patients' experiences of financial hardship, (2) evaluate the resources available to cancer patients across the rural-urban continuum, and (3) determine how rural and urban health care teams assess and address financial distress in cancer patients.
Seven research teams within the Cancer Prevention and Research Control Network conducted semi-structured interviews with cancer program staff who have a role in connecting cancer patients with financial assistance services in both rural and urban counties. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. We identified themes using descriptive content and thematic analysis.
We interviewed 35 staffs across 29 cancer care programs in seven states, with roughly half of respondents from programs in rural counties. Participants identified differences in rural and urban patients' experiences of financial hardship related to distance required to travel for treatment, underinsurance, and low socioeconomic status. Insufficient staffing was an identified barrier to addressing rural and urban patients' financial concerns.
Improved financial navigation services could mitigate the effects of financial toxicity experienced by cancer patients, particularly rural patients, throughout treatment and survivorship. Future research is needed to improve how cancer programs assess financial hardship in patients and to expand financial navigation services to better serve rural cancer patients.
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Details
- Title
- How cancer programs identify and address the financial burdens of rural cancer patients
- Creators
- Victoria Petermann - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillWhitney E Zahnd - University of South CarolinaRobin C Vanderpool - University of KentuckyJan M Eberth - University of South CarolinaCatherine Rohweder - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillRandall Teal - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillMaihan Vu - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillLindsay Stradtman - University of KentuckyElizabeth Frost - Case Western Reserve UniversityErika Trapl - Case Western Reserve UniversitySarah Koopman Gonzalez - Case Western Reserve UniversityThuy Vu - University of WashingtonLinda K Ko - University of WashingtonAllison Cole - University of WashingtonPaige E Farris - Oregon Health & Science UniversityJackilen Shannon - Oregon Health & Science UniversityJessica Lee - University of South CarolinaNatoshia Askelson - University of IowaLaura Seegmiller - University of IowaArica White - Centers for Disease Control and PreventionJean Edward - University of KentuckyMelinda Davis - Oregon Health & Science UniversityStephanie B Wheeler - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Publication Details
- Supportive care in cancer, v 30(3), pp 2047-2058
- Publisher
- Springer Nature
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- U48DP005013 / ACL HHS U48DP005017 / ACL HHS U48-DP005017 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005030 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005013 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS P30 CA016086 / NCI NIH HHS U48-DP005021 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005053 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS K07 CA211971 / NCI NIH HHS U48-DP005053 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005014 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS P30 DK056350 / NIDDK NIH HHS U48-DP005013 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48-DP005030 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005017 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS T32 CA057726 / NCI NIH HHS U48DP005030 / ACL HHS U48DP005021 / ACL HHS U48DP005006 / ACL HHS U48-DP005006 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48DP005053 / ACL HHS U48DP005014 / ACL HHS U48-DP005014 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005021 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS U48 DP005006 / NCCDPHP CDC HHS
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:000707698800001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85117087586
- Other Identifier
- 991021855514404721
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Web of Science research areas
- Health Care Sciences & Services
- Oncology
- Rehabilitation