Song Tony, Sura Karna T
Radiation Oncology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, USA.
Cureus. 2024 Jul 18;16(7):e64847. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64847. eCollection 2024 Jul.
Transportation is a significant social determinant of health and a barrier to treatment for many patients. Cancer patients are disproportionately affected, and it can be especially salient for patients undergoing several weeks of daily radiation treatment. A prospective survey pilot study at our institution examining financial toxicity related to transportation for patients undergoing radiation treatment showed a correlation between high transportation costs and financial stress. Furthermore, those living >10 miles from the radiation center were associated with worse financial toxicity. Previous programs implemented to address the transportation issue in oncology have been mainly inadequate or ineffective. These programs have been set back due to a lack of awareness and low utilization. The Health Equity Achievement in Radiation Therapy (HEART) adjustment from the proposed Radiation Oncology Case Rate (ROCR) payment model for radiation oncology will greatly alleviate transportation barriers for patients undergoing radiation treatment. The $500 per patient can be utilized for those patients at the highest risk, like those living far away from the radiation center.
交通是健康的一个重要社会决定因素，也是许多患者治疗的障碍。癌症患者受到的影响尤为严重，对于那些接受为期数周每日放疗的患者而言，这一问题可能格外突出。我们机构进行的一项前瞻性调查试点研究，考察了放疗患者交通相关的经济毒性，结果显示高交通成本与经济压力之间存在关联。此外，居住在距离放疗中心10英里以上的患者，经济毒性更严重。此前为解决肿瘤学领域交通问题而实施的项目，大多不够充分或效果不佳。由于缺乏认知和利用率低，这些项目受到了阻碍。放疗肿瘤学提议的放疗肿瘤病例费率（ROCR）支付模式中的放疗健康公平成就（HEART）调整，将极大缓解放疗患者的交通障碍。每位患者500美元可用于风险最高的患者，比如那些居住在远离放疗中心的患者。
