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Mkuu RS, Staras SA, Szurek SM, D'Ingeo D, Gerend MA, Goede DL, Shenkman EA. Clinicians' perceptions of barriers to cervical cancer screening for women living with behavioral health conditions: a focus group study. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:252. [PMID: 35264120 PMCID: PMC8905024 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-09350-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Women with behavioral health (BH) conditions (e.g., mental illness and substance abuse) receive fewer cervical cancer (CC) screenings, are diagnosed at more advanced cancer stages, and are less likely to receive specialized treatments. The aim of this study was to identify barriers that healthcare providers face in providing CC screening to women with BH conditions. Methods Guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, we conducted four focus groups in North Florida with 26 primary care and BH clinicians and staff to examine perceived barriers to CC screening among their patients with BH conditions to guide the future development of a tailored cervical cancer screening and follow-up intervention. Thematic analysis was used to analyze verbatim transcripts from audiotaped focus groups. Results Three main themes of barriers emerged from the data: 1) BH conditions related barriers included a history of trauma, stigma and discrimination, and uncontrolled comorbid conditions, 2) System level barriers related to lack of integration between BH and primary care, and 3) Similar barriers to the general population including lack of health insurance, insufficient processes to send out reminders, and challenges with communicating with patients. Conclusions Tailored CC screening interventions that address the unique needs of women with BH conditions are needed. Strategies that address improving trust between patients and healthcare providers, identifying avenues to improve receipt of screening during time-limited clinical visits, connecting BH and primary care providers, and addressing the social determinants of health have potential to improve CC screening rates for women with BH conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahma S Mkuu
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
| | - Stephanie A Staras
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Sarah M Szurek
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Dalila D'Ingeo
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Mary A Gerend
- College of Medicine, Florida State University, 1115 West Call Street, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4300, USA
| | - Dianne L Goede
- Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Florida, 1549 Gale Lemerand Drive, 4th Floor, Suite 4592, Gainesville, FL, 32610-3008, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Shenkman
- Department of Health Outcomes & Biomedical Informatics, University of Florida, 2004 Mowry Rd, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
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Leahy D, Donnelly A, Irwin K, D'Alton P. Barriers and facilitators to accessing cancer care for people with significant mental health difficulties: A qualitative review and narrative synthesis. Psychooncology 2021; 30:2012-2022. [PMID: 34747534 DOI: 10.1002/pon.5848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Inequities in cancer care contribute to higher rates of cancer mortality for individuals with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) compared to the general population. The aim of the current systematic review was to identify, appraise and synthesise qualitative evidence of patient and clinician/system barriers and facilitators to cancer screening and treatment for individuals with SMHD. METHODS We conducted a systematic search across three electronic databases in May 2020 and we carried out a second search across five electronic databases in January 2021. A narrative synthesis was conducted across eligible studies. RESULTS We identified the same six studies from both searches, with 133 individuals with SMHD and experiences of cancer care and 102 healthcare professionals. Key barriers to cancer care were related to patients' uncontrolled psychiatric symptoms and the adverse impact of their symptoms on engaging with cancer care; clinician barrier-attitudes included stigmatising attitudes from clinicians and other staff towards individuals with SMHD and systems barrier-fragmentation included the fragmentation of mental health and cancer care delivery. Key patient facilitators to accessing cancer care and completing cancer treatment included being connected with mental health services and controlled psychiatric symptoms. Stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals working across different sectors in addition to the development of a patient navigator role were identified as key facilitators to enhance patient care. CONCLUSIONS Innovative approaches are needed to decrease mental health stigma, foster collaboration across disciplines, and facilitate the integration of timely mental health and cancer care for individuals with SMHD to address the mortality gap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Leahy
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alanna Donnelly
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kelly Irwin
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Paul D'Alton
- Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Clifton A, Burgess C, Clement S, Ohlsen R, Ramluggun P, Sturt J, Walters P, Barley EA. Influences on uptake of cancer screening in mental health service users: a qualitative study. BMC Health Serv Res 2016; 16:257. [PMID: 27405348 PMCID: PMC4942968 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-016-1505-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancers are a leading cause of death worldwide. People with mental illness are 30 % more likely to die from cancer than the general population. One reason for this may be low uptake of nationally offered cancer screening tests by people with mental illness. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators for breast, cervical and bowel cancer screening uptake by people with mental illness in order to inform interventions to promote equal access. METHODS The interview study was conducted in both urban and rural settings. The study was informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework, using framework analysis and triangulation across participant groups. Participants included 45 mental health service users (service users) eligible for cancer screening, 29 mental health professionals and 11 professionals involved in cancer screening. RESULTS Themes emerging from the data that affected uptake included knowledge of screening programmes by both service users and healthcare providers; knowledge of, and attitudes towards, mental illness; health service-delivery factors; service users' beliefs and concerns about cancer screening, and practical issues. These are relevant to different stages of the screening process. Service users do not receive invitations to screening or cancer testing kits if they are admitted to hospital. They are not routinely invited for screening if they are not registered with a general practitioner (GP). Lack of integrated care means that mental health staff do not know if someone is overdue for a test and cancer screening is often not considered during health promotion. Barriers including information processing problems, the extent to which the screening process aggravates symptoms, poor staff client relationships and travel difficulties vary between individuals. Screening professionals are motivated to help, but may lack time or training to manage mental health needs. Reactive measures are available, but service users must request help which they may find difficult. CONCLUSIONS There are specific barriers to cancer screening uptake for mental health service users that prevent equality of care. Interventions that can be personalised are needed at individual, policy and service-delivery levels. Primary and secondary care staff and policy-makers should work together to develop an integrated approach to cancer screening in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Clifton
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, 57 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8WA, UK
| | - Caroline Burgess
- Division of Health and Social Care Research, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King's College London, Addison House, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London, SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Sarah Clement
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ruth Ohlsen
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, 57 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8WA, UK
| | - Pras Ramluggun
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Jackstraws Lane, Marston, Oxford, Oxon, OX3 0FL, UK
| | - Jackie Sturt
- Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, King's College London, 57 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8WA, UK
| | - Paul Walters
- Bournemouth University and Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust, Sentinel House, Nuffield Road, Poole, BH17 0RB, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Barley
- College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare, University of West London, Paragon House, Boston Manor Road, Brentford, Middlesex, TW8 9GA, UK.
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Weinstein LC, Stefancic A, Cunningham AT, Hurley KE, Cabassa LJ, Wender RC. Cancer screening, prevention, and treatment in people with mental illness. CA Cancer J Clin 2016; 66:134-51. [PMID: 26663383 PMCID: PMC4783271 DOI: 10.3322/caac.21334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
People with mental illness die decades earlier in the United States compared with the general population. Most of this disparity is related to preventable and treatable chronic conditions, with many studies finding cancer as the second leading cause of death. Individual lifestyle factors, such as smoking or limited adherence to treatment, are often cited as highly significant issues in shaping risk among persons with mental illness. However, many contextual or systems-level factors exacerbate these individual factors and may fundamentally drive health disparities among people with mental illness. The authors conducted an integrative review to summarize the empirical literature on cancer prevention, screening, and treatment for people with mental illness. Although multiple interventions are being developed and tested to address tobacco dependence and obesity in these populations, the evidence for effectiveness is quite limited, and essentially all prevention interventions focus at the individual level. This review identified only one published article describing evidence-based interventions to promote cancer screening and improve cancer treatment in people with mental illness. On the basis of a literature review and the experience and expertise of the authors, each section in this article concludes with suggestions at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, community, and policy levels that may improve cancer prevention, screening, and treatment in people with mental illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara C Weinstein
- Associate Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Ana Stefancic
- Staff Research Associate, Columbia University-School of Social Work, New York, NY
| | - Amy T Cunningham
- Clinical Research Coordinator III, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Katelyn E Hurley
- Clinical Research Specialist, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
| | | | - Richard C Wender
- Chief Cancer Control Officer, American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA and Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA
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