Satisfaction with cancer care among American Indian and Alaska Natives in Oregon and Washington State: a qualitative study of survivor and caregiver perspectives

Disparities in access to opioid treatment programs and buprenorphine providers by race and ethnicity in the contiguous U.S

BACKGROUND

The burden of drug overdose mortality varies by race and ethnicity, with American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), Black, and White people experiencing the largest burden. We analyzed census block group data to evaluate differences in travel distance to opioid treatment programs (OTP) and buprenorphine providers by race and ethnicity.

METHODS

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration provided the addresses of OTPs and buprenorphine providers. The study classified block groups as majority (≥50 %) AI/AN, Black, Asian, White, no single racial majority, or Hispanic. We classified deprivation and rurality using the Area Deprivation Index and Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes. The study applied generalized linear mixed models.

RESULTS

Among all block groups, the median road distance to the nearest OTPs and buprenorphine providers was 8 and 2 miles, respectively. AI/AN-majority block groups had the longest median distances to OTPs (88 miles versus 4-10 miles) and buprenorphine providers (17 miles versus 1-3 miles) compared to other racial or ethnic majority block groups. For OTPs and buprenorphine providers, travel distances were slightly greater in more deprived block groups compared to less deprived block groups. The median distance to the nearest OTPs and buprenorphine providers were larger in micropolitan and small town/rural block groups compared to metropolitan areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Disparities exist in travel distance to OTPs and buprenorphine providers. People in block groups with AI/AN-majority, nonmetropolitan, or more deprived designation experience travel disparities accessing treatment. Future research should develop targeted interventions to reduce access to care disparities for individuals with opioid use disorder.

Disparities in Access to Radiation Therapy by Race and Ethnicity in the United States With Focus on American Indian/Alaska Native People

OBJECTIVES

Striking disparities in access to radiation therapy (RT) exist, especially among racial and ethnic-minority patients. We analyzed census block group data to evaluate differences in travel distance to RT as a function of race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rurality.

METHODS

The Directory of Radiotherapy Centers provided the addresses of facilities containing linear accelerators for RT. We classified block groups as majority (≥ 50%) American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), black, white, Asian, no single racial majority, or Hispanic regardless of race. We used the Area Deprivation Index to classify deprivation and Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes to classify rurality. Generalized linear mixed models tested associations between these factors and distance to nearest RT facility.

RESULTS

Median distance to nearest RT facility was 72 miles in AI/AN-majority block groups, but 4 to 7 miles in block groups with non-AI/AN majorities. Multivariable models estimated that travel distances in AI/AN-majority block groups were 39 to 41 miles longer than in areas with non-AI/AN majorities. Travel distance was 1.3 miles longer in the more deprived areas versus less deprived areas and 16 to 32 miles longer in micropolitan, small town, and rural areas versus metropolitan areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer patients in block groups with AI/AN-majority populations, nonmetropolitan location, and low socioeconomic status experience substantial travel disparities in access to RT. Future research with more granular community- and individual-level data should explore the many other known barriers to access to cancer care and their relationship to the barriers posed by distance to RT care.

Unmet supportive care needs and associated factors: Evidence from 4195 cancer survivors in Shanghai, China

BACKGROUND

Cancer survivors at different stages of life often have different needs that make it challenging for services to provide satisfactory care. Few studies have considered whether services are truly meeting the needs of cancer patients by exploring and identifying their perspectives on unmet needs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the unmet needs of cancer survivors and to further determine the potential impact of socio-demographic factors.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study that included 4195 cancer patients was conducted in Shanghai, China. Using Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory as a conceptual framework, the questionnaire included five dimensions: information, life and finances, continuing care, emotions, and self-actualization. Correlation analysis and ordered logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relationship between demographic sociological factors and unmet needs for supportive care.

RESULTS

The most common unmet supportive care needs include information needs (2.91 ± 1.32), self-actualization needs (2.69 ± 1.32) and continuing care needs (2.59 ± 1.30). Unmet needs for life and finances were more pronounced among cancer participants in the 45-69 age group. After adjusting for confounders, we found that each 6-month increase in the time since diagnosis was associated with a 0.8% (OR: 0.992, 95% CI: 0.985-0.998) reduction in high need for continuing care and a 0.9% (OR:0.991, 95% CI: 0.983-0.999) reduction in high need for self-actualization, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Information needs are the most important concern among the diverse unmet needs of cancer survivors. Time since diagnosis is associated with unmet supportive care needs of cancer survivors. The findings highlight the large gap between actual health services and patients' unmet need for supportive care, which will provide the basis for a patient-centered supportive care system for cancer survivors.

Cancer-Related Symptom Management Intervention for Southwest American Indians

Simple Summary

Quality of life during, and even after, cancer treatment is greatly affected by cancer symptoms that include pain, fatigue, and changes to mental state and activities of daily living, to name a few. American Indians living in the Southwestern United States have cancer experiences which may be different than the general population and have long been understudied. A randomized controlled trial designed to test the impact of a culturally tailored intervention on the management of individual cancer symptoms was implemented. Outcomes included improvement in pain, depression, fatigue and loss of function management in adult American Indians. Study evaluations at post-test show a significant improvement in scores from pre-test and compared to the control group, demonstrating increased knowledge levels in managing cancer-related symptoms. Study findings guide researchers towards a better understanding of the meaning and impact of cancer symptoms for American Indian cancer survivors, thus their improving care and quality of life.

Abstract

There is limited literature related to culturally embedded meanings of cancer and related symptoms among American Indians. A culturally appropriate intervention to improve management of cancer-related symptoms, including pain, depression, fatigue and loss of function, was tested. Two-hundred and twenty-two adult American Indians with cancer were recruited from eight Southwest sites for a randomized clinical trial. The intervention group received tailored education, a toolkit with a video, and participated in discussion sessions on cancer symptom management; the control group received information on dental care. Pre- and post-test questionnaires were administered to control and intervention groups. Measures included socio-demographics, cancer-related symptom management knowledge and behavior, and quality of life measures. Male cancer survivors reported poorer self-assessed health status and lower scores on quality-of-life indicators as compared to female cancer survivors. Significant improvement was reported in symptom management knowledge scores following the intervention: management of pain (p = 0.003), depression (p = 0.004), fatigue (p = 0.0001), and loss of function (p = 0.0001). This study is one of the first to demonstrate a change in physical symptom self-management skills, suggesting culturally appropriate education and interventions can successfully enhance cancer-related symptom management knowledge and practice.

Marginalized patient identities and the patient-physician relationship in the cancer care context: a systematic scoping review

PURPOSE

We sought to examine and categorize the current evidence on patient-physician relationships among marginalized patient populations within the context of cancer care using a systemic scoping review approach.

METHODS

Web-based discovery services (e.g., Google Scholar) and discipline-specific databases (e.g., PubMed) were queried for articles on the patient-physician relationship among marginalized cancer patients. The marginalized populations of interest included (1) race and ethnicity, (2) gender, (3) sexual orientation and gender identity, (4) age, (5) disability, (6) socioeconomic status, and (7) geography (rural/urban). Study screening and data extraction were facilitated through the Covidence software platform.

RESULTS

Of the 397 screened studies, 37 met study criteria-most articles utilized quantitative methodologies (n = 28). The majority of studies focused on racial and ethnic cancer disparities (n = 27) with breast cancer (n = 20) as the most common cancer site. Trust and satisfaction with the provider were the most prevalent issues cited in the patient-physician relationship. Differences in patient-physician communication practices and quality were also frequently discussed. Overall, studies highlighted the need for increased culturally congruent care among providers.

CONCLUSION

Results from this review suggest marginalized cancer patients face significant barriers in establishing culturally and linguistically congruent patient-physician relationships. Future studies should focus on the intersectionality of multiple marginalized identities and optimization of the patient-physician relationship.

Preparing genetic counselors to serve Native American communities

As a medical specialty, genetic counseling (GC) espouses cultural sensitivity, a patient-centered approach, and an eye for the individual, familial, and community-wide implications of genetics and genomics in medicine. Within the past decades, the field of GC has recognized and attempted to address a need for the greater diversity of providers and practice settings that will help to address health inequities across underrepresented communities (Channaoui et al., 2020). Accreditation for GC training programs mandates equipping students with multicultural sensitivity and knowledge on health disparities. Currently however, there are limited published data about how GC programs are accomplishing these aims for Native American individuals and communities. Furthermore, there are limited published data on the unique needs and perspectives of Native Americans who may seek GC services. This disconnect may pose barriers for genetic counselors who aim to provide respectful and relevant care to Native American patients. Education of GC students is one important way to set the tone for a lifetime of practice and to inspire awareness and action toward alleviating disparities. Thus, we surveyed GC training programs in North America to investigate how they are working to (a) address disparities in Native American professional representation and student enrollment, (b) deliver culturally relevant curricula and clinical opportunities that serve the needs of Native Americans, and (c) positively engage Native American communities in North America. We found that reported recruitment efforts, curricula content, clinical opportunities, and community engagement efforts to address the needs of Native American are limited across GC training programs surveyed. By bringing awareness to current methods, success factors, and barriers in this space, we hope to open the door for meaningful partnerships between leaders of Native American communities and GC training programs in the pursuit of greater equity.

Andersen's Behavioral Model to Identify Correlates of Breast Cancer Screening Behaviors among Indigenous Women

This study examined predictive models of utilization of mammograms among Indigenous women adapting Andersen's behavioral model. Using a sample of 285 Indigenous women residing in South Dakota, nested logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess predisposing (age and marital status), need (personal and family cancer history), and enabling factors (education, monthly household income, mammogram screening awareness, breast cancer knowledge, self-rated health, and cultural practice to breast cancer screening). Results indicated that only 55.5% of participants reported having had a breast cancer screening within the past 2 years. After controlling for predisposing and need factors, higher education, greater awareness of mammogram, and higher utilization of traditional Native American approaches were significant predictors of mammogram uptake. The results provide important implications for intervention strategies aimed at improving breast cancer screening and service use among Indigenous women.

Positive cancer care in Peru: Patient and provider perspectives

Peruvian women experience high mortality from reproductive cancers, partially due to suboptimal cancer care utilization and experiences. In this qualitative study, we examined factors contributing to positive cancer care experiences. Our sample included 11 cancer patients and 27 cancer providers who attended the First International Cancer Symposium survivorship conference in Lima, Peru in 2015. We conducted thematic analysis. Emergent themes revealed that, for patients, individualized empathic care by providers was an important facilitator to positive cancer care experiences. For providers, the ability to provide such care depended on provider norms and facility infrastructure to support such patient-centered practices.

Improving cancer care for American Indians with cervical cancer in the Indian Health Service (IHS) system - Navigation may not be enough

OBJECTIVES

Patient navigation programs have been shown to positively impact cancer outcomes for minority populations. Little is known regarding the effects of these programs on American Indian (AI) populations. The purpose of this study is to characterize the impact of a patient navigation program on AI cervical cancer patients at a tertiary care center.

METHODS

A retrospective review of all AI cervical cancer patients receiving navigation services and a cohort of AI patients treated prior to navigation services was performed. Additional comparisons were made between those with and without Indian Health Service (IHS) funding. Summary statistics were used to describe demographic, clinical characteristics, treatment, and survivorship across groups.

RESULTS

Of 55 patients identified, 34 received navigation and 21 did not. In navigated patients, median age was 46years (27-80years) compared with 42years (17-68years) in pre-navigation patients (p=0.53). There was no difference between stage at diagnosis (p=0.73). No difference was noted in treatment received between groups (p=0.48). Distance traveled for treatment between groups did not differ (p=0.46). Median time to initiation of treatment was not different between groups, 30.5days vs. 27.5days (p=0.18). Among patients with IHS funding, navigation services did not alter time to initiation of treatment (p=0.57), and there was no difference in completion of prescribed therapy between groups (92% navigated vs 100% pre-navigation).

CONCLUSIONS

Navigation services for AI cervical cancer patients did not alter initiation or completion of treatment. Navigation programs may provide less tangible benefits to AI cervical cancer patients and further study is warranted.

Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use Among Indigenous Cancer Patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cancer 'patients' are increasingly using traditional indigenous and complementary medicines (T&CM) alongside conventional medical treatments to both cure and cope with their cancer diagnoses. To date T&CM use among Indigenous cancer patients from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States has not been systematically reviewed.

METHODS

We systematically searched bibliographic databases to identify original research published between January 2000 and October 2017 regarding T&CM use by Indigenous cancer patients in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United States. Data from records meeting eligibility criteria were extracted and appraised for quality by 2 independent reviewers.

RESULTS

Twenty-one journal articles from 18 studies across all 4 countries met our inclusion criteria. T&CM use ranged from 19% to 57.7% (differing across countries). T&CM was mostly used concurrently with conventional cancer treatments to meet their spiritual, emotional, social, and cultural needs; however, bush, traditional, and herbal medicines were used in a minority of cases as an alternative.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the importance of T&CM use to Indigenous cancer patients across these 4 countries; we identified multiple perceived spiritual, emotional and cultural benefits to its use. The patient's perception of their health professional's attitudes toward T&CM in some cases hindered or encouraged the patient's disclosure. Additional research is required to further explore the use and disclosure of T&CM among Indigenous cancer patients to help inform and ensure effective, safe, coordinated care for Indigenous cancer patients that relies on shared open decision making and communication across patients, communities, and providers.