Exploring the experiences of cancer patients: What drives them to seek treatment outside their residential area and what are the experiences resulting from that decision? A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The centralizing cancer care has been a persistent trend, often justified by the volume-outcome relationship. However, this trend raises concerns about potential negative impacts, such as increased patient travel burden, treatment delays, and worsened regional disparities in cancer care. Consequently, there is a growing need for the establishment of a regional comprehensive cancer care system to minimize these disparities. In this study, we explored the treatment experiences of cancer patients who received care at medical institutions outside their residential areas to understand their overall experiences with cancer care and identify areas for improvement in the healthcare system.

Methods

The participants in this study were 7 residents of Ulsan Metropolitan City

SUBMITTER: Pyo J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11892868 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature