Dataset Information

Coverage of cancer services in Australia and providers' views on service gaps: findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In response to the increasing cancer prevalence and the evolving health service landscape across the public and private health sectors in Australia, this study aimed to map cancer services and identify factors associated with service provision and important service gaps.

Methods

A prospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout 2016. Extensive search strategies identified Government or privately-owned, hospital or community-based healthcare organisations with dedicated cancer services. One nominated staff member from each organisation answered a purpose specific online/paper questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, standardised rates, and single level and multilevel multinomial logistic regression were used to analyse the data. Analysis was augmented with a qualitative descriptive analysis of open-ended questions.

Results

From the 295 eligible organisations with a cancer service in Australia, 93.2% participated in the survey. After adjusting for remoteness, for-profit companies were significantly more likely than Government operated services to provide only one or two types of cancer services (e.g. radiotherapy) in a limited range of settings (e.g. day hospital with no in-patient or home care) (p?ConclusionsThe broad range of cancer services, settings and ownership identified by this survey highlights the complexity of the Australian healthcare system that cancer survivors must navigate and the challenges of providing comprehensive cancer care particularly in rural and remote regions. Whilst the significant role of supportive care and survivorship services are increasingly being recognised, the findings from this survey support calls for innovative service models and funding mechanisms that expand the focus from preventing and treating cancer to supporting cancer survivors throughout the cancer continuum and promoting the delivery of integrated and equitable cancer care across the public and private sectors.

SUBMITTER: Hunter J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6560726 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Coverage of cancer services in Australia and providers' views on service gaps: findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

Hunter Jennifer J Smith Caroline C Delaney Geoff P GP Templeman Kate K Grant Suzanne S Ussher Jane M JM

BMC cancer 20190611 1

<h4>Background</h4>In response to the increasing cancer prevalence and the evolving health service landscape across the public and private health sectors in Australia, this study aimed to map cancer services and identify factors associated with service provision and important service gaps.<h4>Methods</h4>A prospective, cross-sectional survey was conducted throughout 2016. Extensive search strategies identified Government or privately-owned, hospital or community-based healthcare organisations wi ...[more]

PMID: 31185937

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Project description:The purpose of the study is to provide estimates for immunization coverage, considering single-dose and schemes (three or five vaccines), by comparing self-report method to immunization cards, while also assessing the timeliness of immunization in Mexico, with reference to Mexican Immunization Program guidelines. Data on immunization was obtained from the Mexican Immunization Survey conducted in 2017 that aimed to assess crude (card-based) coverage at the regional level. Timely immunization was defined with reference to National Immunization Program guidelines, and immunization coverage was defined as a three or five vaccine scheme, based on previous national reports of immunization coverage. Immunization coverage estimates account for sample weights from the complex survey design. We used weighted immunization coverage estimates to assess the extent to which immunization cards and self-reporting concurred. It was found that most Mexican children are not receiving their full vaccine schedule in a timely manner. Concerning children under twelve months of age, the coverage targets for National Immunization of 95 % was not reached for either vaccine, and only 2.94 % (95 % CI 0.92-9.01) who had been receiving a three-vaccine scheme were considered as fully immunized in a timely manner. In contrast, coverage increased to 33.94 % (95 % CI 26.99-41.66), when untimely immunizations were taken into account, and the 95 % target was reached for five vaccines. Likewise, there is little correlation between self-report and immunization cards but rates show more concurrence, when only considering the proportion of true positives. In conclusion it was find that children at a local level are vaccinated in an incomplete and untimely manner. In order to improve immunization systems, a nominal registry of administered doses is thus of paramount importance. There is a need to address underlying health inequalities, as well as the factors associated with these, resulting in improved chances of a disease-free childhood and healthy life.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:Behavioral health (BH) disorders affect 65% to 90% of nursing home (NH) residents. Access to BH services in NHs has been generally considered inadequate, but the empirical evidence is sparse. We examined the availability of BH services and identified facility-level factors associated with the difficulty of providing BH services in NHs. DESIGN:A national random sample of 3996 NHs was identified. Two structured surveys with questions about BH service availability, quality, satisfaction, staffing, staff education, turnover, and service barriers were mailed to administrators and directors of nursing in each NH between July and December 2017. SETTING/PARTICIPANTS:Completed surveys were obtained from 1079 NHs (27% response rate). Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regressions were employed. MEASUREMENTS:Four outcome measures were based on five-point Likert scales: (1) adequacy of BH staff education; (2) ability to meet resident BH service needs; (3) adequacy of coordination/collaboration between NH/community providers; and (4) availability of necessary facility infrastructure. RESULTS:BH service needs were unmet in one third of NHs; almost half lacked appropriate staff BH education. Over 30% reported having inadequate coordination of care between NH and community providers, and 26.2% had inadequate infrastructure for residents' referrals/transport. Staff BH education was less problematic in NHs with Alzheimer disease units (odds ratio [OR] = 0.6; P < .05), lower registered nurse (RN) turnover (OR = 0.7; P < .05), and more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.5; P < .001) and social workers (OR = 0.6; P < .05). Lower RN turnover (OR = 0.7; P < .05) and more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.6; P < .05) were associated with fewer NHs reporting being unable to meet BH service needs. Having more psychiatrically trained RNs (OR = 0.6; P < .05) was associated with fewer NHs reporting inadequate coordination with community providers. CONCLUSION:Inadequate BH education and psychiatric training among NH staff were associated with subpar provision of BH services in this care setting. New initiatives that increase access to BH providers and services and improve staff education are urgently needed in NHs. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1713-1717, 2019.

Project description:ObjectiveProviding services to rural dwelling minority cultural groups with serious chronic disease is challenging due to access to care and cultural differences. This study aimed to describe service providers' perspectives on health services delivery for Aboriginal people receiving haemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease in rural Australia.DesignSemistructured interviews, thematic analysisSettingA health district in rural New South Wales, AustraliaParticipantsUsing purposive sampling, 29 renal and allied service providers were recruited, including nephrologists, renal nurses, community nurses, Aboriginal health workers, social workers and managers. Six were Aboriginal and 23 non-Aboriginal.ResultsImproving cultural understanding within the healthcare system was central to five themes identified: rigidity of service design (outreach, inevitable home treatment failures, pressure of system overload, limited efficacy of cultural awareness training and conflicting priorities in acute care); responding to social complexities (respecting but challenged by family obligations, assumptions about socioeconomic status and individualised care); promoting empowerment, trust and rapport (bridging gaps in cultural understanding, acknowledging the relationship between land, people and environment, and being time poor); distress at late diagnosis (lost opportunities and prioritise prevention); and contending with discrimination and racism (inherent judgement of lifestyle choices, inadequate cultural awareness, pervasive multilevel institutionalised racism and managing patient distrust).ConclusionsService providers believe current services are not designed to address cultural needs and Aboriginality, and that caring for Aboriginal patients receiving haemodialysis should be family focused and culturally safer. An Aboriginal-specific predialysis pathway, building staff cultural awareness and enhancing cultural safety within hospitals are the measures recommended. Increasing patient support for home haemodialysis may improve health and the quality of care outcomes.

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Dataset Information

Coverage of cancer services in Australia and providers' views on service gaps: findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

Background

Methods

Results

Publications

Coverage of cancer services in Australia and providers' views on service gaps: findings from a national cross-sectional survey.

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