Leli W Pedro1, Sarah J Schmiege2. 1. College of Nursing, University of Colorado in Denver. 2. Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado in Denver.
Abstract
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of rurality on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) disparities in rural long-term cancer survivors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) 7, 8, and 9. SAMPLE: 91 adults at least five years post-treatment. METHODS: Mailed surveys measured HRQOL, self-esteem, and social support. Regression models were estimated to isolate (from self-esteem and social support) the effect of level of rurality on HRQOL. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: HRQOL, self-esteem, social support, and rurality. FINDINGS: No differences in demographic characteristics existed among RUCCs. Survivors residing in RUCCs 7 or 8 tended to be similar in several dimensions of HRQOL. Survivors living in RUCC 7 reported significantly lower social function and greater financial difficulty and number of symptoms compared to survivors in RUCC 9 (the most remote). Self-esteem and social support strongly correlated with HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: The significant impact of rurality on HRQOL beyond self-esteem and social support suggests its role in explaining cancer survivorship disparities and directing practice. Until additional exploration can identify mechanisms behind rurality's impact, consideration of level of rurality as a potential factor in evaluating survivors' HRQOL outcomes is reasonable. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Survivor context (e.g., level of rurality) influences HRQOL outcomes. Context or culture-relevant risk minimization and HRQOL optimization nursing practices are indicated.
PURPOSE/ OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of rurality on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) disparities in rural long-term cancer survivors. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Rural-Urban Continuum Codes (RUCC) 7, 8, and 9. SAMPLE: 91 adults at least five years post-treatment. METHODS: Mailed surveys measured HRQOL, self-esteem, and social support. Regression models were estimated to isolate (from self-esteem and social support) the effect of level of rurality on HRQOL. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: HRQOL, self-esteem, social support, and rurality. FINDINGS: No differences in demographic characteristics existed among RUCCs. Survivors residing in RUCCs 7 or 8 tended to be similar in several dimensions of HRQOL. Survivors living in RUCC 7 reported significantly lower social function and greater financial difficulty and number of symptoms compared to survivors in RUCC 9 (the most remote). Self-esteem and social support strongly correlated with HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: The significant impact of rurality on HRQOL beyond self-esteem and social support suggests its role in explaining cancer survivorship disparities and directing practice. Until additional exploration can identify mechanisms behind rurality's impact, consideration of level of rurality as a potential factor in evaluating survivors' HRQOL outcomes is reasonable. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Survivor context (e.g., level of rurality) influences HRQOL outcomes. Context or culture-relevant risk minimization and HRQOL optimization nursing practices are indicated.
Entities:
Keywords:
care of the medically underserved; health policy; quality of life; rural issues; survivorship
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