Sai Yiu Richard Chiu1, Zuyao Yang2. 1. Radiation and Oncology Centre, Hong Kong Baptist Hospital, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. 2. Division of Epidemiology, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) and optimism are important health domains that express the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of cancer patients. Previous studies have explored income and medical insurance coverage as predictors of their well-being with the aim to better understand their financial needs. The primary objective of this study was to examine the associations in the private health sector in Hong Kong. METHODS: The study was conducted cross-sectionally with a structured questionnaire in traditional Chinese. HRQL was assessed with the RAND 12-item Health Survey, and optimism was assessed with the Life Orientation Test. The two primary predictors were family income and medical insurance coverage. The associations were tested using logistic regression, controlling for other sociodemographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: A total of 428 questionnaires were used in the regression model. After adjusting for other covariates, no significant association was observed with family income as the predictor. Medical insurance coverage was a significant and positive predictor of optimism with odds ratio of 2.30 and 95% confidence interval of 1.30 to 4.05 for the group with the most coverage with little to no coverage as the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: The significant association between medical insurance coverage and optimism might be an indication that the medical cost was a financial burden to many cancer patients in Hong Kong. In addition to their medical needs, cancer support organization and health care practitioners must be able to recognize and assist with the financial needs of the cancer patients.
OBJECTIVE: Health-related quality of life (HRQL) and optimism are important health domains that express the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of cancerpatients. Previous studies have explored income and medical insurance coverage as predictors of their well-being with the aim to better understand their financial needs. The primary objective of this study was to examine the associations in the private health sector in Hong Kong. METHODS: The study was conducted cross-sectionally with a structured questionnaire in traditional Chinese. HRQL was assessed with the RAND 12-item Health Survey, and optimism was assessed with the Life Orientation Test. The two primary predictors were family income and medical insurance coverage. The associations were tested using logistic regression, controlling for other sociodemographic and clinical covariates. RESULTS: A total of 428 questionnaires were used in the regression model. After adjusting for other covariates, no significant association was observed with family income as the predictor. Medical insurance coverage was a significant and positive predictor of optimism with odds ratio of 2.30 and 95% confidence interval of 1.30 to 4.05 for the group with the most coverage with little to no coverage as the reference group. CONCLUSIONS: The significant association between medical insurance coverage and optimism might be an indication that the medical cost was a financial burden to many cancerpatients in Hong Kong. In addition to their medical needs, cancer support organization and health care practitioners must be able to recognize and assist with the financial needs of the cancerpatients.
Authors: Daniel Puciato; Michał Rozpara; Marek Bugdol; Tadeusz Borys; Teresa Słaby Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-18 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Melissa S Y Thong; Daniela Doege; Linda Weißer; Lena Koch-Gallenkamp; Heike Bertram; Andrea Eberle; Bernd Holleczek; Alice Nennecke; Annika Waldmann; Sylke Ruth Zeissig; Ron Pritzkuleit; Michael Schlander; Hermann Brenner; Volker Arndt Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2021-10-13 Impact factor: 4.553