Understanding the motives to seek additional care at non-governmental organizations.

Abstract

e18766 Background: Providing patient-centered comprehensive breast cancer (BC) management remains a global health challenge. In Mexico, public health institutions (PHIs) are the largest providers of BC care. They seek to offer quality BC treatment for their constituents while facing financial and operational challenges accentuated by the increasing prevalence of BC. This system leaves patients with unmet needs, especially limited access to supportive care services. Some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been created to fulfill these gaps. This study aims to understand the unmet needs perceived by BC patients at PHIs and their motives to contact NGOs for complementary services. Methods: An online survey was created and distributed to BC patients that received care at PHIs and had contacted Médicos Investigadores en la Lucha Contra el Cáncer, a BC NGO, from June 2022 to July 2022. The questionnaire consists of multiple-choice questions and a comments section. Results: We received 93 responses. The median age (range) was 51 years old (31-68). Most participants were residents of Mexico City and the State of Mexico, 97%. The most frequently reported clinical stages were stage 2 and stage 3, 31% and 40% respectively. Medication availability and diagnostic services were considered above average, 76% and 71% respectively. Patients referred that 78% of nursing services, 69% of primary and 82% of secondary/tertiary level care physician services were above average. The majority of participants, 91%, reported having unmet needs during their treatment. Table 1 describes the participant’s perceived needs including adequate information and referral to other integral health services within the institution like pain management, physical therapy, mental health services, and nutrition. A recurring comment reported by patients was that not enough time was dedicated to answering their concerns. Conclusions: This study shows that PHIs struggle to adequately provide comprehensive BC management. There is a high perception of unmet needs and a low referral rate to pain management, physical therapy, nutrition, and psychology services. However, patients consider the services provided by doctors and nurses as above average and are satisfied with the diagnostic services and medications provided by the institution. Future studies need to be conducted to understand the barriers to adequate referral to comprehensive care services and how NGOs address these unmet needs. [Table: see text]