Echo L Warner1,2, Brynn Fowler1, Samantha T Pannier1, Sara K Salmon3,4, Douglas Fair5,6, Holly Spraker-Perlman5,6, Jeffrey Yancey7, R Lor Randall1,8, Anne C Kirchhoff1,6. 1. 1 Department of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, Huntsman Cancer Institute , Salt Lake City, Utah. 2. 2 University of Utah , College of Nursing, Salt Lake City, Utah. 3. 3 Huntsman Cancer Institute , Salt Lake City, Utah. 4. 4 Intermountain Healthcare , Murray, Utah. 5. 5 Division of Hematology and Oncology, Primary Children's Hospital , Salt Lake City, Utah. 6. 6 Department of Pediatrics, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah. 7. 7 Cancer Learning Center, Huntsman Cancer Hospital, Cancer Learning Center , Salt Lake City, Utah. 8. 8 Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah , Salt Lake City, Utah.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To describe how distance to treatment location influences patient navigation preferences for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients and survivors. METHODS: This study is part of a statewide needs assessment to inform the development of an AYA cancer patient and survivor navigation program. Participants were recruited from outpatient oncology clinics in Utah. Eligible participants had been diagnosed with cancer between ages 15-39 and had completed at least 1 month of treatment. Participants completed a semi-structured interview on preferences for patient navigation. Summary statistics of demographic and cancer characteristics were generated. Thematic content analysis was used to describe navigation preferences among participants classified as distance (≥20 miles) and local (<20 miles), to explain differences in their needs based on distance from their treatment center. RESULTS: The top three patient navigation needs were general information, financial, and emotional support. More local patients were interested in patient navigation services (95.2%) compared to distance participants (77.8%). Fewer local (38.1%) than distance participants (61.1%) reported challenges getting to appointments, and distance patients needed specific financial support to support their travel (e.g., fuel, lodging). Both local and distance patients desired to connect with a navigator in person before using another form of communication and wanted to connect with a patient navigator at the time of initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Distance from treatment center is an important patient navigation consideration for AYA cancer patients and survivors. After initially connecting with AYAs in person, patient navigators can provide resources remotely to help reduce travel burden.
PURPOSE: To describe how distance to treatment location influences patient navigation preferences for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancerpatients and survivors. METHODS: This study is part of a statewide needs assessment to inform the development of an AYA cancerpatient and survivor navigation program. Participants were recruited from outpatient oncology clinics in Utah. Eligible participants had been diagnosed with cancer between ages 15-39 and had completed at least 1 month of treatment. Participants completed a semi-structured interview on preferences for patient navigation. Summary statistics of demographic and cancer characteristics were generated. Thematic content analysis was used to describe navigation preferences among participants classified as distance (≥20 miles) and local (<20 miles), to explain differences in their needs based on distance from their treatment center. RESULTS: The top three patient navigation needs were general information, financial, and emotional support. More local patients were interested in patient navigation services (95.2%) compared to distance participants (77.8%). Fewer local (38.1%) than distance participants (61.1%) reported challenges getting to appointments, and distance patients needed specific financial support to support their travel (e.g., fuel, lodging). Both local and distance patients desired to connect with a navigator in person before using another form of communication and wanted to connect with a patient navigator at the time of initial diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Distance from treatment center is an important patient navigation consideration for AYA cancerpatients and survivors. After initially connecting with AYAs in person, patient navigators can provide resources remotely to help reduce travel burden.
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