Association between perceived quality of care and social isolation among cancer survivors in the US.

Abstract

e23182 Background: Though social isolation has been linked to poorer survival outcomes among cancer survivors, studies assessing its association with perceived quality of care have not been explored in this population. We examined the association between perceived quality of care and self-reported social isolation among cancer survivors. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data collected from a nationally representative population of US adults from March to November 2022. Social isolation was assessed with the self-reported Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Social Isolation Short Form. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the association between perceived quality of care and self-reported social isolation among cancer survivors. Other factors associated with social isolation in this population were also assessed. Results: In the adjusted analyses, social isolation scores were 6.3 points (95% CI: 2.30–10.28) higher among cancer survivors who reported fair/poor quality health care relative to those that reported excellent/very good/good quality of care. When compared to Non-Hispanic White cancer survivors, Non-Hispanic Blacks (β: –2.96; 95% CI: –5.35– –0.57) and Hispanic survivors (β: –4.06; 95% CI: –7.71– –0.40) had lower social isolation scores. Cancer survivors who were married or cohabiting had 3.3 points (95% CI: –6.01– –0.55) lower social isolation scores relative to single cancer survivors. Cancer survivors with high school or less education had lower isolation scores (β: –2.03; 95% CI: –4.00– –0.07) than those with some college education or more and those with an income of $50,000 or higher reported lower isolation scores (β: –2.19; 95% CI: –4.17– –0.21) than their counterparts earning less than $50,000. Furthermore, those with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety had 5.2 points (95%: 3.23–7.21) higher social isolation scores than cancer survivors without depression/anxiety. Conclusions: Fair or poor quality of care was associated with higher social isolation among cancer survivors. Additionally, race/ethnicity, marital status, level of education, income, and depression/anxiety were correlated with social isolation. To reduce the impact of social isolation and improve the health outcomes of cancer survivors, healthcare providers need to prioritize delivering holistic care, promote social connectivity and incorporate mental health screening and referrals into standard care practices.