PhD Scholar, Public Health, School of Health Systems Studies, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India.
Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2023 Oct 1;24(10):3569-3575. doi: 10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.10.3569.
To map and identify the sequence of visitation to institutes by patients with common cancers.
This paper used a mixed method to follow a descriptive multiple-embedded case study. Participants selected in phase one were 388 by stratified random sampling, and in phase two, by purposive sampling, a semi-structured interview was conducted for 21 participants (15 participants and six key informants-oncologists: radiation - 2, medical - 2, surgical - 1 and gynaecology - 1). Ethical clearances were received from the study institutes. Informed consent was obtained from the participants.
Sparse research exists on mapping and choices of healthcare settings by cancer patients from northeast India. The main finding comprises a vivid overview of the decisions taken by cancer patients to get their necessary treatment based on all factors mitigating and inhibiting. Up to five hospitals for cancer treatment across the country. Private hospitals were preferred on the first visit by 74 percent (287), followed by the government by 26 percent (101); this, however, changes in subsequent hospital choices, with the latter preferred over the other, which could be due to the long duration of cancer treatment that is directly influenced by the paying capacity of the individual. Visitation was not limited to famous cancer hospitals, but few participants reported accessing herbal medicines, Ayurveda and Homoeopathy.
Mapping patient choices of cancer institutes by patients from northeast India is essential as the challenges faced are unique to the region. By mapping patient choices of cancer institutes, insights into the preferred healthcare facilities can influence policies to improve the accessibility of cancer facilities. Findings from this study can support improving access to quality healthcare services, promoting cultural sensitivity, enhancing the quality of care, and informing policy planning and resource allocation.
绘制并识别常见癌症患者就诊机构的就诊顺序。
本研究采用混合方法，对描述性嵌套病例研究进行随访。在第一阶段通过分层随机抽样选择了 388 名参与者，在第二阶段通过目的抽样选择了 21 名参与者（15 名参与者和 6 名关键信息提供者-肿瘤学家：放射科-2 名、内科-2 名、外科-1 名和妇科-1 名）进行半结构化访谈。研究机构获得了研究伦理批准。参与者获得了知情同意。
来自印度东北部的癌症患者对医疗保健机构的选择及其就诊顺序的研究很少。主要发现包括对癌症患者基于所有减轻和抑制因素做出的治疗决策的生动概述。全国有多达五家癌症治疗医院。74%（287 人）的患者首选私立医院，其次是 26%（101 人）的公立医院；然而，在后续的医院选择中，这种情况发生了变化，后者比其他医院更受欢迎，这可能是由于癌症治疗的持续时间较长，直接受到个人支付能力的影响。就诊不限于著名的癌症医院，但少数参与者报告称会使用草药、阿育吠陀和顺势疗法。
对来自印度东北部的患者选择癌症机构的情况进行绘制具有重要意义，因为他们所面临的挑战在该地区是独特的。通过绘制患者选择癌症机构的情况，可以深入了解患者偏好的医疗设施，从而影响改善癌症设施可及性的政策。本研究的结果可以支持改善获得优质医疗保健服务的机会，促进文化敏感性，提高护理质量，并为政策规划和资源分配提供信息。
