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Nelson D, Selby P, Kane R, Harding-Bell A, Kenny A, McPeake K, Cooke S, Hogue T, Oliver K, Gussy M, Lawler M. Implementing the European code of cancer practice in rural settings. J Cancer Policy 2024; 39:100465. [PMID: 38184144 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpo.2023.100465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Existing evidence often indicates higher cancer incidence and mortality rates, later diagnosis, lower screening uptake and poorer long-term survival for people living in rural compared to more urbanised areas. Despite wide inequities and variation in cancer care and outcomes across Europe, much of the scientific literature explicitly exploring the impact of rurality on cancer continues to come from Australia and North America. The European Code of Cancer Practice or "The Code" is a citizen and patient-centred statement of the most salient requirements for good clinical cancer practice and has been extensively co-produced by cancer patients, cancer professionals and patient advocates. It contains 10 key overarching Rights that a cancer patient should expect from their healthcare system, regardless of where they live and has been strongly endorsed by professional and patient cancer organisations as well as the European Commission. In this article, we use these 10 fundamental Rights as a framework to argue that (i) the issues and needs identified in The Code are generally more profound for rural people with cancer; (ii) addressing these issues is also more challenging in rural contexts; (iii) interventions and support must explicitly account for the unique needs of rural residents living with and affected by cancer and (iv) new innovative approaches are urgently required to successfully overcome the challenges faced by rural people with cancer and their caregivers. Despite equitable healthcare being a key European policy focus, the needs of rural people living with cancer have largely been neglected.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nelson
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK; Macmillan Cancer Support, London, UK.
| | - Peter Selby
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Lincoln Medical School, Universities of Nottingham and Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Ros Kane
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | | | - Amanda Kenny
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK; La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
| | - Kathie McPeake
- Macmillan Cancer Support, London, UK; NHS Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board, Sleaford, UK
| | - Samuel Cooke
- School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | - Todd Hogue
- School of Psychology, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
| | | | - Mark Gussy
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK; La Trobe Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Australia
| | - Mark Lawler
- Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences, Queens University Belfast, Belfast, UK
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Nelson D, Cooke S, McLeod B, Nanyonjo A, Kane R, Gussy M. A Rapid Systematic Review on the Experiences of Cancer Survivors Residing in Rural Areas during the COVID-19 Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:16863. [PMID: 36554740 PMCID: PMC9778689 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192416863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused considerable disruption to cancer care and may have exacerbated existing challenges already faced by cancer survivors from rural areas. This has created a need for a rapid evidence synthesis to inform the development of tailored interventions that address the specific needs of rural cancer survivors who continue to be affected by the pandemic. The review was conducted following guidance from the Cochrane Rapid Review Methods Group. Database searches were performed via the EBSCOHost interface (includes MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO) on 25 May 2022 and supplemented with searches on Google Scholar. Peer-reviewed articles published after March 2020 that reported primary data on the experiences of cancer survivors residing in rural and remote settings during the pandemic were included. Findings were tabulated and written up narratively. Fourteen studies were included. The COVID-19 pandemic had a mostly detrimental impact on the experiences of rural cancer survivors. People's individual coping mechanisms were challenging for a range of reasons. Specifically, the pandemic impacted on their ability to access testing, treatment, check-ups and supportive care, their ability to maintain and access social support with close friends and family, as well as negative consequences to their finances and emotional wellbeing with some reporting feelings of psychological distress including depression and anxiety. This review provides important insight into the experiences of rural cancer survivors that may help inform tailored support in line with the needs and challenges faced because of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nelson
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
- Macmillan Cancer Support, London SE1 7UQ, UK
| | - Samuel Cooke
- School of Health and Social Care, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Ben McLeod
- Lincoln Medical School, College of Science, University of Nottingham and University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Agnes Nanyonjo
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Ros Kane
- School of Health and Social Care, College of Social Science, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
| | - Mark Gussy
- Lincoln International Institute for Rural Health, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS, UK
- La Trobe Rural Health School, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC 3086, Australia
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Horseman Z, Milton L, Finucane A. Barriers and facilitators to implementing the Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool in a community palliative care setting. Br J Community Nurs 2019; 24:284-290. [PMID: 31166774 DOI: 10.12968/bjcn.2019.24.6.284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Family carers play a central role in community-based palliative care. However, caring for a terminally ill person puts the carer at increased risk of physical and mental morbidity. The Carer Support Needs Assessment Tool (CSNAT) enables comprehensive assessment of carer support needs. The present study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to implementing the CSNAT in a community specialist palliative care service. Semi-structured interviews with 12 palliative care nurse specialists from two community nursing teams in Lothian, Scotland, June 2017. Data was audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed. Palliative care nurse specialists acknowledge the importance of carers in palliative care and encourage carer support practices. Nurses perceived the CSNAT as useful, but used it as an 'add-on' to current practice, rather than as a new approach to carer-led assessment. Further training is recommended to ensure community palliative care nurses are familiar with the broader CSNAT approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoe Horseman
- Research Assistant, Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh
| | | | - Anne Finucane
- Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh; Research Lead, Marie Curie Hospice
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