Dataset Information

Differences in urban and suburban/rural settings regarding care provision and barriers of cancer care for older adults during COVID-19.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Care for older adults with cancer became more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in urban hotspots. This study examined the potential differences in healthcare providers' provision of as well as barriers to cancer care for older adults with cancer between urban and suburban/rural settings.

Methods

Members of the Advocacy Committee of the Cancer and Aging Research Group, with the Association of Community Cancer Centers, surveyed multidisciplinary healthcare providers responsible for the direct care of patients with cancer. Respondents were recruited through organizational listservs, email blasts, and social media messages. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used.

Results

Complete data was available from 271 respondents (urban (n = 144), suburban/rural (n = 127)). Most respondents were social workers (42, 44%) or medical doctors/advanced practice providers (34, 13%) in urban and suburban/rural settings, respectively. Twenty-four percent and 32.4% of urban-based providers reported "strongly considering" treatment delays among adults aged 76-85 and > 85, respectively, compared to 13% and 15.4% of suburban/rural providers (Ps = 0.048, 0.013). More urban-based providers reported they were inclined to prioritize treatment for younger adults over older adults than suburban/rural providers (10.4% vs. 3.1%, p = 0.04) during the pandemic. The top concerns reported were similar between the groups and related to patient safety, treatment delays, personal safety, and healthcare provider mental health.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate location-based differences in providers' attitudes regarding care provision for older adults with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SUBMITTER: Pisegna JL

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9780617 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Differences in urban and suburban/rural settings regarding care provision and barriers of cancer care for older adults during COVID-19.

Pisegna Janell L JL BrintzenhofeSzoc Karlynn K Shahrokni Armin A Canin Beverly B Plotkin Elana E Boehmer Leigh M LM Chien Leana L Malone Mariuxi Viteri MV MacKenzie Amy R AR Krok-Schoen Jessica L JL

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer 20221223 1

<h4>Purpose</h4>Care for older adults with cancer became more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in urban hotspots. This study examined the potential differences in healthcare providers' provision of as well as barriers to cancer care for older adults with cancer between urban and suburban/rural settings.<h4>Methods</h4>Members of the Advocacy Committee of the Cancer and Aging Research Group, with the Association of Community Cancer Centers, surveyed multidisciplinary healthc ...[more]

PMID: 36562819

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Dataset Information

Differences in urban and suburban/rural settings regarding care provision and barriers of cancer care for older adults during COVID-19.

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

Differences in urban and suburban/rural settings regarding care provision and barriers of cancer care for older adults during COVID-19.

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