Opportunities and challenges to implementing a coordinated social care network for patients with cancer: Perspectives of local community based organizations.

Abstract

e18647 Background: Interest is growing in identifying and addressing health related social needs for patients with cancer. One proposed approach is the creation of coordinated social care networks (CSCNs) to facilitate access to community-based resources and communication between community-based organizations (CBOs) serving patients with cancer. However, little is known about the perspectives of CBO leaders’ perspectives of addressing address health-related social needs or participating in CSCNs to serve patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted qualitative interviews of CBO leaders in New Haven, CT to assess perceived barriers to and facilitators for joining a CSCN. We also assessed leaders' awareness of how their services align with cancer care guidelines to address social and material needs of patients with cancer. CBOs were identified through a resource inventory of all New Haven-based CBOs. We employed qualitative content analysis and applied the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to classify emergent themes. Results: Respondents (N = 15) representing food pantries (n = 3), transportation agencies (n = 2), financial assistance organizations (n = 2), cancer-specific advocacy groups (n = 2), homeless shelters (n = 1), and general service organizations (n = 5) participated. We identified four themes: COVID-19 impact, referral challenges to other CBOs, challenges addressing client needs, and barriers and facilitators to joining a CSCN. The strongest theme was challenges addressing client needs which aligns with the CFIR domains of inner setting and individual characteristics. For instance, CBO leaders identified significant challenges with providing resources for patients with cancer due to lack of knowledge of client’s diagnosis. The theme of referral challenges to other CBOs, which aligns with the intervention CFIR domain, was exemplified by sentiments of limited funding and resources, lack of availability of information, and desire for client privacy. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was a theme relevant to both the individual and inner setting CFIR domains, particularly given its lasting effect on both the general community and patients with cancer utilizing CBOs at a higher rate, contributing to longer waitlists. Lastly, barriers to and facilitators of joining a CSCN largely align with the process CFIR domain. Respondents noted that lack of funding and resistance to adapting new technologies were barriers to implementing a CSCN in the New Haven area. Conclusions: While CSCNs may be a helpful mechanism to increase coordination between CBOs to help patients with cancer, critical barriers such as capacity, funding, and technology resistance may hinder implementation.