1. An Exploration of Underrepresentation of Aboriginal Cancer Patients Attending a Regional Radiotherapy Service in Western Australia.
- Author
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Lyford M, Haigh MM, Baxi S, Cheetham S, Shahid S, and Thompson SC
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Health Status Disparities, Healthcare Disparities ethnology, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Male, Middle Aged, Neoplasms psychology, Patient Acceptance of Health Care ethnology, Patient Acceptance of Health Care psychology, Qualitative Research, Western Australia, Culturally Competent Care, Health Services Accessibility, Health Services, Indigenous statistics & numerical data, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander psychology, Neoplasms ethnology, Neoplasms radiotherapy, Rural Health Services statistics & numerical data
- Abstract
Travel logistics impede Aboriginal patients' uptake of cancer treatments and is one reason for the poorer outcomes of Aboriginal people with cancer. This research examined benefits of a newly established rurally based radiotherapy unit in southwest Western Australia (WA), and included exploring the experience of Aboriginal patients and possible reasons for Aboriginal people's underrepresentation in treatment. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 21 service providers involved in the treatment and care of people with cancer, and 3 Aboriginal patients with cancer who undertook radiotherapy at the Service were undertaken. Data were subject to thematic analysis involving immersion in the data for familiarization, inductive coding, investigator discussion and refining of emerging themes and triangulation of patient and provider interviews. Aboriginal cancer patients were positive about the treatment and support they had received, highlighting the often complex challenges faced by rural Aboriginal cancer patients in accessing and maintaining treatment. Service providers offered suggestions for small numbers presenting to the Service, including late presentation, potential perceptions of cultural insensitivity on the part of service providers, out-of-pocket costs and under-ascertainment of Aboriginal status. The Service has put in place practices and initiatives to support patient health and wellbeing, including making the facility more welcoming towards Aboriginal people and ensuring culturally appropriate care., Competing Interests: Siddhartha Baxi is Medical Director of the South West Radiation Oncology Service. While involved in the planning of this research, he was not involved in any interviews with patients or service providers (other than himself as a participant) or in the analysis of data.
- Published
- 2018
- Full Text
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