Journal article
The COVID-19 pandemic impact on independent and provider-based rural health clinics' operations and cancer prevention and screening provision in the United States
The Journal of rural health, Vol.39(4), pp.765-771
Autumn 2023
DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12753
PMID: 36869430
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer care, but it is unknown how the pandemic has affected care in Medicare-certified rural health clinics (RHCs) where cancer prevention and screening services are critical for their communities. This study examined how the provision of these cancer services changed pre- and peri-pandemic overall and by RHC type (independent and provider-based).
We administered a cross-sectional survey to a stratified random sample of RHCs to assess clinic characteristics, pandemic stressors, and the provision of cancer prevention and control services among RHCs pre- and peri-pandemic. We used McNemar's test and Wilcoxon signed rank tests to assess differences in the provision of cancer prevention and screening services pre- and peri-pandemic by RHC type.
Of the 153 responding RHCs (response rate of 8%), 93 (60.8%) were provider-based and 60 (39.2%) were independent. Both RHC types were similar in their experience of pandemic stressors, though a higher proportion of independent RHCs reported financial concerns and challenges obtaining personal protective equipment. Both types of RHCs provided fewer cancer prevention and screening services peri-pandemic-5.8 to 4.2 for provider-based and 5.3 to 3.5 for independent (P<.05 for both). Across lung, cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer-related services, the proportion of both RHC groups providing services dropped peri-pandemic.
The pandemic's impact on independent and provider-based RHCs and their patients was considerable. Going forward, greater resources should be targeted to RHCs-particularly independent RHCs-to ensure their ability to initiate and sustain evidence-based prevention and screening services.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The COVID-19 pandemic impact on independent and provider-based rural health clinics' operations and cancer prevention and screening provision in the United States
- Creators
- Whitney E Zahnd - University of IowaAllie F Silverman - University of South CarolinaStella Self - University of South CarolinaPeiyin Hung - University of South CarolinaNabil Natafgi - University of South CarolinaSwann Arp Adams - University of South CarolinaMelinda A Merrell - University of South CarolinaOtis L Owens - University of South CarolinaElizabeth L Crouch - University of South CarolinaJan M Eberth - Drexel University
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- The Journal of rural health, Vol.39(4), pp.765-771
- DOI
- 10.1111/jrh.12753
- PMID
- 36869430
- eISSN
- 1748-0361
- Grant note
- U1C45498 / HRSA HHS P30 CA086862 / NCI NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/03/2023
- Date published season
- Autumn 2023
- Date published
- 2023
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Record Identifier
- 9984375450102771
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