Nagar Akash, Madamanchi Divya, Nair Gayatri R, Revikumar Akhil, Ray Suman, Vajjala Sai Mahesh, B S Akhila, Shivale Shubham
Community Medicine, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pune, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Aug 19;16(8):e67249. doi: 10.7759/cureus.67249. eCollection 2024 Aug.
Introduction Cancer remains a critical global health issue, particularly in developing countries, where timely diagnosis and effective treatment are often hindered by numerous barriers. These obstacles exacerbate the cancer burden and contribute to disparities in care. This study explores the barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment from the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers in rural India, aiming to inform targeted interventions and improve outcomes. Methods This qualitative study was conducted from April to May 2024 at a tertiary cancer hospital in rural Western Maharashtra, India. Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with five cancer patients and four healthcare practitioners. Participants were selected through purposive sampling until information saturation was achieved. Interviews were conducted in local languages and analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key barriers and themes. Results The study identified several major themes related to barriers to cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients highlighted a lack of awareness and understanding of cancer, significant financial burdens, challenges in accessing healthcare facilities, and emotional distress. Healthcare practitioners noted systemic issues, including inadequate diagnostic capabilities, insufficient healthcare infrastructure, and a shortage of specialized providers. Both groups emphasized the impact of cultural beliefs and stigma, as well as the limited support systems available to patients. Conclusion The findings highlight the complex interplay of factors contributing to delays in cancer diagnosis and treatment in rural India. Addressing these barriers requires multifaceted interventions, including increasing public awareness, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing support systems for patients. Policy development should focus on these areas to reduce disparities and improve cancer care outcomes in resource-limited settings.
引言
癌症仍然是一个严峻的全球健康问题，在发展中国家尤其如此，在这些国家，及时诊断和有效治疗常常受到众多障碍的阻碍。这些障碍加剧了癌症负担，并导致了医疗保健方面的差异。本研究从印度农村地区患者和医疗服务提供者的角度探讨癌症诊断和治疗的障碍，旨在为有针对性的干预措施提供依据并改善治疗效果。
方法
这项定性研究于2024年4月至5月在印度马哈拉施特拉邦西部农村的一家三级癌症医院进行。对五名癌症患者和四名医疗从业者进行了九次半结构化访谈。通过目的抽样选择参与者，直至达到信息饱和。访谈以当地语言进行，并使用主题分析进行分析，以确定关键障碍和主题。
结果
该研究确定了几个与癌症诊断和治疗障碍相关的主要主题。患者强调对癌症缺乏认识和了解、巨大的经济负担、获得医疗设施的挑战以及情绪困扰。医疗从业者指出了系统性问题，包括诊断能力不足、医疗基础设施不足以及专科医疗服务提供者短缺。两组都强调了文化信仰和耻辱感的影响，以及患者可获得的支持系统有限。
结论
研究结果突出了导致印度农村地区癌症诊断和治疗延误的各种因素之间的复杂相互作用。解决这些障碍需要多方面的干预措施，包括提高公众意识、改善医疗基础设施以及加强对患者的支持系统。政策制定应侧重于这些领域，以减少资源有限环境中的差异并改善癌症治疗效果。
