Facilitating cancer treatment services for rural, disenfranchised patients: Lessons from a National Cancer Institute-funded community disparities project

The establishment of a rural transportation program for radiation oncology patients in Somerset County, Pennsylvania had its beginnings in 2003. Somerset is a rural area with no public transportation system. Studies have indicated that patients living in rural areas have limited access to public transportation services and consequently are not as compliant with their five-day a week treatment plan and follow up care as patients without this barrier.

Of the few services available, the Community Action Partnership (CAP) for Somerset County provided the most promising. Although the cost was reasonable, transportation was and is not available on a daily basis to all eligible persons living outside of Somerset Borough. When a contractual relationship with our project was presented to CAP that would include those residing outside of the borough, they were concerned that an influx in rider ship would vastly strain their resources. By ongoing collegial discussion and quantifying our estimated increase, CAP fears were assuaged and a plan was actualized.

During this process, a private vendor was also located who agreed to be a secondary provider. Local hotels and motels were also effectively engaged to provide lower rates for oncology patients who needed to stay close to the facility.

This presentation will describe the process of responding to the transportation needs of rural cancer patients through the time consuming engagement of key non-healthcare resources and respectfully addressing the concerns of these potential partners.