Are visiting oncologists enough? A qualitative study of the needs of Australian rural and regional cancer patients, carers and health professionals

Grimison, Peter; Phillips, Fiona; Butow, Phyllis; White, Kathryn; Yip, Desmond; Sardelic, Frank; Underhill, Craig; Tse, Regina; Simes, Robyn; Turley, K.; Raymond, Carmel; Goldstein, David

doi:10.1111/ajco.12014

Cited by 28 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In that year, an estimated 45,780 Australians died from cancer, constituting 30% of all deaths and representing the leading cause of death in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, ). Overall, cancer patients living in rural areas experience poorer outcomes than their urban counterparts (Baade, Dasgupta, Aitken, & Turrell, ; Grimison et al., ; Roder et al., ). This occurs even for cancers diagnosed at an equivalent stage and hence is generally attributed to access challenges related to the nature of cancer services and support available in rural Australia (Underhill et al., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer support services: Are they meeting the needs of rural radiotherapy patients?

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper examines the supportive care in place to meet the needs of patients receiving radiotherapy at a regional oncology service in Bunbury, Western Australia. Semi‐structured in‐depth interviews with 21 service providers and 17 adults diagnosed with cancer who underwent radiotherapy at the Service were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Key themes relevant were co‐operation and collaboration of interdisciplinary team members; support from organisations to assist with accommodation, transport, emotional support and provision of practical assistance, as well as barriers to accessing support. Most participants were positive about the support available, recognising the needs of rural radiotherapy patients for assistance with travel, accommodation and psychosocial support to help deal with the stressors they face. Collaboration between the various service providers maximised the support available to patients but the drop off in psychosocial support once the intensity of treatment was completed was identified as a weakness in the support available. The support system, established around a regional radiotherapy service, was enhanced by the collaborative professional relationships developed among service providers. The service extends beyond clinical service delivery by recognising financial, logistical and psychosocial support needs, factors to be considered to ensure rural radiotherapy patients are provided with holistic care.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cancer support services: Are they meeting the needs of rural radiotherapy patients?

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Due to the wide range of resources, specialist staff, and associated health service costs necessary to deliver intervention, head and neck cancer services are commonly rationalized to metropolitan cancer centers more capable of supporting the significant clinical and financial commitment required to deliver this expert care . Unfortunately, due to geographical distance, patients living in regional, rural, and remote areas do not have equal access to services and this consequently leads to additional financial burden for patients and their families due to increased travel and accommodation costs, leave from work, and/or carer costs . These expenses are incurred along the continuum of care in which regular ongoing specialist medical, nursing, and allied health appointments are required to maximize rehabilitation efforts and optimize patient outcomes .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These expenses are incurred along the continuum of care in which regular ongoing specialist medical, nursing, and allied health appointments are required to maximize rehabilitation efforts and optimize patient outcomes . Although some reimbursement may be provided by health services or through some private insurance schemes, the outstanding and ongoing financial commitment of cancer treatment ensues significant stress and emotional burden for patients and their family …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cost analysis of a speech pathology synchronous telepractice service for patients with head and neck cancer

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A concern identified by rural cancer patients includes travel for treatment, which is financially difficult, inconvenient and socially isolating . Providing equitable access to health‐care services for Australians in rural and regional communities is a national priority .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy concurrent with systemic therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Outcomes from an integrated regional Australian cancer centre

Rahbari

Winkley²,

Hill³

et al. 2016

J Med Imag Rad Onc

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) incidence has increased over the past two decades largely because of an increase in human papilloma virus (HPV)-related OPSCC. We report here outcomes of definitive radiation therapy for OPSCC with simultaneous integrated boost intensitymodulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in a regional Australian cancer centre. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records (EMR) of all patients treated with IMRT for head and neck cancer. We included patients who received a curative intent IMRT for OPSCC (2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014). Results: Of 61 patients, 80% were men, and the median age was 57 years. Ninety percent of our patients received concurrent systemic therapy, and 68% were p16 positive. The median radiotherapy dose received was 70 Gy in 35 fractions. The median follow up for surviving patients was 22 months. Twenty-four month actuarial data show that the loco-regional recurrence free, metastasis-free MFS, cancer-specific (CaSS) and overall survival percentages were 98.3%, 92.6%, 91% and 90.3%, respectively. We did not observe grades 4 or 5 acute or late toxicities, and 10 patients (16.2%) exhibited persistent grade 3 toxicity 6 months after completing the treatment. Conclusion:The results from curative IMRTs for OPSCC delivered in a regional cancer centre are comparable with results published by tertiary referral centres. A long-term follow up of this patient cohort will continue for further analyses and comparisons with tertiary centres.

show abstract

Are visiting oncologists enough? A qualitative study of the needs of Australian rural and regional cancer patients, carers and health professionals

Cited by 28 publications

References 41 publications

Cancer support services: Are they meeting the needs of rural radiotherapy patients?

Cancer support services: Are they meeting the needs of rural radiotherapy patients?

Cost analysis of a speech pathology synchronous telepractice service for patients with head and neck cancer

Definitive intensity‐modulated radiotherapy concurrent with systemic therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: Outcomes from an integrated regional Australian cancer centre

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About