Journal article
Access to chemotherapy services by availability of local and visiting oncologists
Journal of oncology practice, Vol.10(1), pp.26-31
01/2014
DOI: 10.1200/JOP.2013.001217
PMCID: PMC3889218
PMID: 24443731
Abstract
Geographic disparities have raised important questions about factors related to treatment choice and travel time, which can affect access to cancer care.
Iowa residents who received chemotherapy regardless of where they were diagnosed or treated were identified through the Iowa Cancer Registry (ICR), a member of the SEER program. Oncologists and their practice locations, including visiting consulting clinics (VCCs), were tracked through the Iowa Physician Information System. Oncologists, VCCs, and patients were mapped to hospital service areas (HSAs).
Between 2004 and 2010, 113,885 newly diagnosed invasive cancers were entered into ICR; among patients in whom these cancers were diagnosed, 31.6% received chemotherapy as a first course of treatment. During this period, 106 Iowa oncologists practiced in 14 cities, and 82 engaged in outreach to 85 VCCs in 77 rural communities. Of patients receiving chemotherapy, 63.0% resided in an HSA that had a local oncologist and traveled 21 minutes for treatment on average. In contrast, 29.3% of patients receiving chemotherapy resided in an HSA with a VCC, and 7.7% resided in an HSA with no oncology provider. These latter two groups of patients traveled 58 minutes on average to receive chemotherapy. Availability of oncologists and VCCs affected where patients received chemotherapy. The establishment of VCCs increased access to oncologists in rural communities and increased the rate that chemotherapy was administered in rural communities from 10% to 24%, a notable increase in local access.
Access to cancer care is dependent on the absolute number of providers, but it is also dependent on their geographic distribution.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Access to chemotherapy services by availability of local and visiting oncologists
- Creators
- Marcia M Ward - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA; Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, CA; and American Society of Clinical Oncology, Alexandria, VAFred UllrichKevin MatthewsGerard RushtonRoger TracyDean F BajorinMichael A GoldsteinMichael P KostySuanna S BruinoogeAmy HanleyCharles F Lynch
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of oncology practice, Vol.10(1), pp.26-31
- DOI
- 10.1200/JOP.2013.001217
- PMID
- 24443731
- PMCID
- PMC3889218
- NLM abbreviation
- J Oncol Pract
- ISSN
- 1935-469X
- eISSN
- 1935-469X
- Publisher
- United States
- Grant note
- HHSN261201000032C / NCI NIH HHS P30 CA086862 / NCI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 01/2014
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy; Epidemiology; Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
- Record Identifier
- 9983995141002771
Metrics
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