背景:意大利第二大死亡原因是癌症。不同社区的癌症患者的护理水平和结果仍然存在巨大差异。医院,和意大利的地区。虽然医学研究和治疗方案取得了实质性进展,这些进步往往会使富人不成比例地受益,受过更好的教育,和更多的特权地区和部分人口。因此,本研究的主要目的是从癌症患者的角度探讨获得和利用护理方面不平等的可能原因,这些治疗的接受者,和医疗保健提供者,负责他们的行政管理。
方法:通过社交媒体平台招募后,患者组织,医院网站,来自意大利各地区的癌症患者(n=22)和医疗保健提供者(n=16)参加了关于获得和提供护理方面差异的在线焦点小组讨论.使用主题分析对访谈的视频和音频记录进行了分析。
结果:在癌症患者中,确定了7个主题,而6个主题来自医疗服务提供者,强调在癌症治疗中遇到的障碍和未满足的需求。这些新兴主题大多数是两个群体共同的,例如地理差异,信息不足,以及心理肿瘤支持的重要性。然而,每个小组都有几个特定的主题,例如,癌症患者强调了经济负担和与医疗保健提供者的不良互动,而医疗保健提供者强调建立更强大的专家网络并整合临床实践和研究的必要性。
结论:目前的研究结果揭示了癌症治疗中持续存在的挑战,包括漫长的等待名单和地区差异,强调包容性医疗战略的必要性。强调了心理肿瘤支持的价值,以及互联网用于信息需求的潜力,强调必须提高意识和沟通,以克服癌症护理方面的差距。
BACKGROUND: The second leading cause of death in Italy is cancer. Substantial disparities persist in the level of care and outcomes for cancer patients across various communities, hospitals, and regions in Italy. While substantial progress has been made in medical research and treatment options, these advancements tend to disproportionately benefit the wealthier, better-educated, and more privileged areas and portions of the population. Therefore, the primary aim of the current study is to explore possible reasons for inequalities in access to and utilisation of care from the perspective of cancer patients, who are recipients of these treatments, and healthcare providers, who are responsible for their administration.
METHODS: After being recruited through social media platforms, patients\' organisations, and hospital websites, cancer patients (n = 22) and healthcare providers (n = 16) from various Italian regions participated in online focus group discussions on disparities in access to and provision of care. Video and audio recordings of the interviews were analysed using Thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Among cancer patients, 7 themes were identified, while 6 themes emerged from the healthcare providers highlighting encountered barriers and unmet needs in cancer care. Most of these emerging themes are common to both groups, such as geographical disparities, information deficiencies, and the importance of psycho-oncological support. However, several themes are specific to each group, for instance, cancer patients highlight the financial burden and the poor interactions with healthcare providers, while healthcare providers emphasise the necessity of establishing a stronger specialists\' network and integrating clinical practice and research.
CONCLUSIONS: Current findings reveal persistent challenges in cancer care, including long waiting lists and regional disparities, highlighting the need for inclusive healthcare strategies. The value of psycho-oncological support is underscored, as well as the potential of the Internet\'s use for informational needs, emphasising the imperative for improved awareness and communication to overcome disparities in cancer care.