A Comparative Analysis of the Perception of Cancer Patients and Healthcare Providers (Oncology Physicians, Nurses, Social Workers) in Support of Integrated Community-Linked Cancer Plans

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the awareness and status of cancer patients and healthcare providers (physicians, nurses and social workers) regarding community linkage, in order to establish a desirable care plan model in a future research project. The survey was conducted via two methods: face-to-face for cancer patients (n = 308) and oncology physicians (n = 210), and due to COVID-19 circumstances, online for nurses (n = 200) and social workers (n = 313). As a result, more than 95% of the healthcare providers responded that cancer patients required community-linked services and discharge plans, whereas 50.7% and 79.2% of cancer patients noted the importance of community-linked services and discharge plans, respectively. Social workers, among healthcare providers, showed the most positive experience about connecting patients to community services since 69.7% of them responded as “excellent”. However, as a group, cancer patients considered the necessity of community-linked service as less important, as only 50.7% responded as agreeing it was necessary. The barriers to community linkage were the lack of communication among the different professions of healthcare providers, and the ambiguity in their roles. The findings of this study will inform future community-linked health research, policies and systems for cancer patients. In particular, an in-depth interview with cancer patients will be required to explore their lack of acknowledgment about the necessity of community-linked services. Therefore, this study is expected to contribute to the improvement and supplementation of cancer policies.

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“…Regarding the first theme ("prepared encounters and unexpected encounters"), cancer survivors need continuous health care because of risk of recurrence, fatigue, sleep disorders, body image damage, and job and role changes [24,25]. After being discharged from hospitals, cancer survivors seek healthy lifestyle methods to prevent recurrence and various life problems [25].…”

“…This is supported by the attention-recovery theory which suggests that time spent in nature provides comfort, which restores attention and helps restore physiological and psychological health [30]. As cancer survivors face fear of recurrence, time spent in nature can play an active role in healthcare [24,31]. To prevent various life problems and recurrences, different methods of leading a healthy lifestyle are sought [25].…”