Rural comprehensive cancer care: Qualitative analysis of current challenges and opportunities.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

While limited resources can make high-quality, comprehensive, coordinated cancer care provision challenging in rural settings, rural cancer patients often rely on local hospitals for care. To develop resources and strategies to support high-quality local cancer care, it is critical to understand the current experiences of rural cancer care physicians, including perceived strengths and challenges of providing cancer care in rural areas.  METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 cancer providers associated with all 12 non-metropolitan/rural Iowa hospitals that diagnose or treat >100 cancer patients annually. Iterative thematic analysis was conducted to develop domains.

Findings

Participants identified geographic proximity and sense of community as str

SUBMITTER: Evans S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11502280 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature