Abstract 5965: The effectiveness of health care professional training on the legal issues impacting individuals diagnosed with cancer to improve patient quality of life

Abstract

Abstract A cancer diagnosis may carry with it a variety of legal issues, including navigating insurance, government benefits, employment, and consumer rights. These legal issues can cause people unnecessary worry, confusion, and stress, and can be overwhelming. The Insurance and Finance Intensive provides health care professionals tools to proactively identify the presence of cancer-related legal, insurance, and financial issues facing their patients. Additionally, the training helps health care professionals to offer referrals to appropriate legal and related resources, once those issues are identified. Oncology health care professionals participated in an eight-hour comprehensive training. Attendees were provided with substantive information about cancer-related legal issues, such as identifying health insurance options, navigating taking time off work and accessing disability insurance, and managing finances. A follow-up survey was sent to past 2020 and 2021 Intensive attendees (n=126), to measure the effectiveness of the training and to address additional questions and difficult case studies. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents indicated that they changed their behavior or practice based on what they learned at the training. Ninety-four percent of survey respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the information provided by the training helped reduce the financial burden that their patients and families experience after a cancer diagnosis. Ninety-seven percent of respondents strongly agreed or agreed that the information provided by the training improved the quality of life of their patients and families. The Insurance & Finance Intensive successfully provided health care professionals with valuable information on the practical and legal issues that impact individuals diagnosed with cancer. It is recommended that more health care professionals participate in this training to mitigate the financial burden of a diagnosis and improve the quality of life of their patients. Citation Format: Madison McMahon Ward, Joanna Fawzy Morales, Monica Fawzy Bryant. The effectiveness of health care professional training on the legal issues impacting individuals diagnosed with cancer to improve patient quality of life [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5965.