Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, New York University Langone Health, New York, NY, USA.
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
J Community Health. 2021 Apr;46(2):399-404. doi: 10.1007/s10900-020-00942-5. Epub 2021 Jan 2.
There have long been noted significant health disparities related to cancer in populations comprised of low-income and minority individuals, including those with gynecologic cancers. Compliance with appointments related to cancer care is critical to ensuring timely diagnosis, treatment, and detection of disease progression. At a public safety net hospital in New York City, the rate of clinic absenteeism in gynecologic oncology clinic was noted to be nearly 20%. This prospective, survey-based study catalogued reasons for clinic absenteeism and noted that the most common reason an appointment was missed was the patient being unaware it existed. Next most common reasons were medical conflicts and family obligations. Patients at this clinic would benefit from a clinic navigator to assist with scheduling appointments, remind patients of upcoming appointments, and resolve conflicting medical appointments.
长期以来，低收入和少数族裔人群的癌症患者存在显著的健康差异，包括妇科癌症患者。遵守与癌症护理相关的预约对于确保及时诊断、治疗和发现疾病进展至关重要。在纽约市的一家公共医疗服务机构中，妇科肿瘤诊所的就诊缺席率接近 20%。这项前瞻性的基于调查的研究记录了就诊缺席的原因，并指出错过预约的最常见原因是患者不知道有预约。其次常见的原因是医疗冲突和家庭义务。该诊所的患者将受益于诊所导航员来协助安排预约、提醒患者即将到来的预约，并解决冲突的医疗预约。
