319434
Appalachian cancer survivors' receipt of survivorship care plans and health-related outcomes: A population-based analysis
Methods: Data were from survivors (N=464; Appalachia = 36; non-Appalachia = 428; Appalachia no-cancer controls = 219) in the Cycle 2, 2013, Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Multivariate logistic and linear regressions, respectively, were used to compare Appalachian and non-Appalachian survivors’ receipt of SCP, having a regular provider, patient-provider communication, general health, psychological distress, and time since most recent check-up. Appalachian survivors’ outcomes were also compared to Appalachian no-cancer controls.
Results: Appalachian (82%) and non-Appalachian (79%) cancer survivors received SCP at similar proportions. Appalachian and non-Appalachian cancer survivors reported similar levels of patient-provider communication, general health, psychological distress, time since most recent check-up, and having a regular healthcare provider. When Appalachian cancer survivors were compared to no-cancer Appalachian controls, no statistical differences were identified in patient-provider communication, general health, psychological distress, time since most recent check-up, and having a regular healthcare provider.
Findings: Findings should be interpreted cautiously and as preliminary due to sample size, as this sample of Appalachian cancer survivors may represent the healthiest cancer survivors. Given the documented disparities in cancer mortality, future efforts should be made to oversample Appalachian survivors’ as a strategy to understand their unique cancer survivorship experience.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and preventionPublic health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Describe the proportion of Appalachian cancer survivors who receive survivorship care plans compared to non-Appalachian survivors.
Compare Appalachian cancer survivors’ patient-provider communication, general health, psychological distress, time since recent check-up, and having a regular healthcare provider to non-Appalachian cancer survivors and Appalachian no-cancer controls.
Keyword(s): Cancer, Special Populations
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have completed advanced doctoral and post-doctoral training in Public Health with concentration in cancer survivorship and prevention among special populations. I have conducted and published research concerning survivorship care planning and survivorsâ health and access to care after cancer. I conceptualized, developed, and analyzed all aspects of this project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.