Barriers to receipt of oncological care at the community level.

Abstract

e13756 Background: Though the field of Oncology is advancing at a rapid pace, there exist several barriers to the receipt of care in cancer patients that are known to affect outcomes. This study aims to describe the social, logistical, and financial barriers to healthcare faced by a diverse group of cancer patients in the community setting. Methods: A total of 40 patients receiving various kinds of oncological care (chemotherapy infusions, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, outpatient follow-up appointments) at a community hospital from 12/2023 to 01/2024 were anonymously surveyed using a standardized questionnaire. Responses were compiled and analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups that missed appointments (Group 1) and did not miss appointments (Group 2) during the study period. Results: While there was no difference between ethnic groups, women were less likely to miss their appointments. Patients who were not married, who lived in single-income households with annual income less than $32,048, had less reliable access to transportation and were more likely to miss appointments. Distance from the hospital and having a social worker assigned did not seem to affect compliance with scheduled appointments. Conclusions: Socioeconomic disparities and lack of family support remain significant barriers in the delivery of quality cancer care. These are seen to affect patient compliance and hence treatment outcomes. Hence adequate resources should be allocated to address the holistic needs of our patients and alleviate the above-mentioned barriers. [Table: see text]