The journey to healing: exploring travel challenges and associated costs for cancer care at a tertiary care centre in Puducherry, Southern India - a mixed methods study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

This study aims to assess travel time, associated costs, challenges and factors influencing healthcare facility choices among persons with cancer in Southern India.

Design

An explanatory sequential mixed methods study.

Setting

The study was conducted in the cancer care outpatient department at a tertiary care centre in Puducherry, Southern India.

Participants

A total of 192 persons with cancer aged 18 to 65 years, diagnosed with breast, lip and oral cavity, cervical, lung or upper gastrointestinal cancers, and attending the cancer care centre between 2023 and 2024, were enrolled in the study through systematic random sampling. Additionally, 10 in-depth interviews were conducted using purposive sampling.

Results

Of the 192 participants, 89 (46.

SUBMITTER: Devaraj L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12815020 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature