Evaluation of a Conference on Cancer-Related Financial and Legal Issues: A Potential Resource to Counter Financial Toxicity
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Triage Cancer
2.2. Study Setting, Participants, and Recruitment
2.3. Session Content
2.4. Measures: Program Evaluation
2.5. Data Cleaning and Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Program Participants
3.2. Acceptability, Feasibility, and Appointment of Conference and Content
3.3. Participant Reports of Meeting Objectives
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
- de Souza, J.A.; Wong, Y.-N. Financial distress in cancer patients. J. Med. Pers. 2013, 11, 73–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Jones, S.M.W.; Walker, R.; Fujii, M.; Nekhlyudov, L.; Rabin, B.A.; Chubak, J. Financial difficulty, worry about affording care, and benefit finding in long-term survivors of cancer. Psycho-Oncology 2018, 27, 1320–1326. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nipp, R.D.; Zullig, L.L.; Samsa, G.; Peppercorn, J.M.; Schrag, D.; Taylor, D.H.; Abernethy, A.P.; Zafar, S.Y. Identifying cancer patients who alter care or lifestyle due to treatment-related financial distress. Psycho-Oncology 2016, 25, 719–725. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shankaran, V.; Unger, J.M.; Darke, A.K.; Suga, J.M.; Wade, J.L., III; Kourlas, P.J.; Chandana, S.R.; O’Rourke, M.A.; Satti, S.; Liggett, D.; et al. S1417CD: A Prospective Multicenter Cooperative Group-Led Study of Financial Hardship in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Patients. JNCI J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2022, 114, 372–380. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Yabroff, K.R.; Dowling, E.C.; Guy, G.P.; Banegas, M.P.; Davidoff, A.; Han, X.; Virgo, K.S.; McNeel, T.S.; Chawla, N.; Blanch-Hartigan, D.; et al. Financial hardship associated with cancer in the United States: Findings from a population-based sample of adult cancer survivors. J. Clin. Oncol. 2016, 34, 259–267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Raber, M.; Jackson, A.; Basen-Engquist, K.; Bradley, C.; Chambers, S.; Gany, F.M.; Halbert, C.H.; Lindau, S.T.; Pérez-Escamilla, R.; Seligman, H. Food Insecurity among People with Cancer: Nutritional Needs as an Essential Component of Care. J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2022, 114, 1577–1583. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Patel, K.G.; Borno, H.T.; Seligman, H.K. Food insecurity screening: A missing piece in cancer management. Cancer 2019, 125, 3494–3501. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chan, R.J.; Gordon, L.G.; Tan, C.J.; Chan, A.; Bradford, N.K.; Yates, P.; Agbejule, O.A.; Miaskowski, C. Relationships between Financial Toxicity and Symptom Burden in Cancer Survivors: A Systematic Review. J. Pain Symptom Manag. 2019, 57, 646–660.e1. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ramsey, S.D.; Bansal, A.; Fedorenko, C.R.; Blough, D.K.; Overstreet, K.A.; Shankaran, V.; Newcomb, P. Financial insolvency as a risk factor for early mortality among patients with cancer. J. Clin. Oncol. 2016, 34, 980–986. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ver Hoeve, E.S.; Ali-Akbarian, L.; Price, S.N.; Lothfi, N.M.; Hamann, H.A. Patient-reported financial toxicity, quality of life, and health behaviors in insured US cancer survivors. Support. Care Cancer 2021, 29, 349–358. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Park, C.L.; Kubzansky, L.D.; Chafouleas, S.M.; Davidson, R.J.; Keltner, D.; Parsafar, P.; Conwell, Y.; Martin, M.Y.; Hanmer, J.; Wang, K.H. Emotional Well-Being: What It Is and Why It Matters. Affect. Sci. 2023, 4, 10–20. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Pisu, M.; Liang, M.I.; Pressman, S.D.; Ryff, C.D.; Patel, M.R.; Hussein, M.; Williams, C.P.; Henrikson, N.B.; Schoenberger, Y.-M.; Pracht, L.J.; et al. Expanding research on the impact of financial hardship on emotional well-being: Guidance of diverse stakeholders to the Emotional Well-Being and Economic Burden of Disease (EMOT-ECON) Research Network. Front. Psychol. 2023, 14, 1196525. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ghazal, L.V.; Abrahamse, P.; Ward, K.C.; Morris, A.M.; Hawley, S.T.; Veenstra, C.M. Financial Toxicity and Its Association with Health-Related Quality of Life among Partners of Colorectal Cancer Survivors. JAMA Netw. Open 2023, 6, e235897. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sadigh, G.; Switchenko, J.; Weaver, K.E.; Elchoufi, D.; Meisel, J.; Bilen, M.A.; Lawson, D.; Cella, D.; El-Rayes, B.; Carlos, R. Correlates of financial toxicity in adult cancer patients and their informal caregivers. Support. Care Cancer 2022, 30, 217–225. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Veenstra, C.M.; Wallner, L.P.; Jagsi, R.; Abrahamse, P.; Griggs, J.J.; Bradley, C.J.; Hawley, S.T. Long-Term Economic and Employment Outcomes among Partners of Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. J. Oncol. Pract. 2017, 13, e916–e926. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Charkhchi, P.; Fazeli Dehkordy, S.; Carlos, R.C. Housing and Food Insecurity, Care Access, and Health Status among the Chronically Ill: An Analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 2018, 33, 644–650. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Simmons, L.A.; Modesitt, S.C.; Brody, A.C.; Leggin, A.B. Food Insecurity among Cancer Patients in Kentucky: A Pilot Study. J. Oncol. Pract. 2006, 2, 274–279. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Coughlin, S.S.; Dean, L.T.; Cortes, J.E. Financial assistance programs for cancer patients. Curr. Cancer Rep. 2021, 3, 119–123. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Salsman, J.M.; Kircher, S.M. Financial Hardship in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology: The Need for Multidimensional and Multilevel Approaches. JCO Oncol. Pract. 2022, 18, 173–176. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- de Moor, J.S.; Mollica, M.; Sampson, A.; Adjei, B.; Weaver, S.J.; Geiger, A.M.; Kramer, B.S.; Grenen, E.; Miscally, M.; Ciolino, H.P. Delivery of Financial Navigation Services within National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2021, 5, pkab033. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Doherty, M.J.; Thom, B.; Gany, F. Evidence of the Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Oncology Financial Navigation: A Scoping Review. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomark. Prev. 2021, 30, 1778–1784. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Offodile, A.C.; Gallagher, K.; Angove, R.; Tucker-Seeley, R.D.; Balch, A.; Shankaran, V. Financial Navigation in Cancer Care Delivery: State of the Evidence, Opportunities for Research, and Future Directions. J. Clin. Oncol. 2022, 40, 2291–2294. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sherman, D.E. Transforming Practices Through the Oncology Care Model: Financial Toxicity and Counseling. J. Oncol. Pract. 2017, 13, 519–522. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shelby, R.A.; Taylor, K.L.; Kerner, J.F.; Coleman, E.; Blum, D. The Role of Community-based and Philanthropic Organizations in Meeting Cancer Patient and Caregiver Needs. CA Cancer J. Clin. 2002, 52, 229–246. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Semin, J.N.; Palm, D.; Smith, L.M.; Ruttle, S. Understanding breast cancer survivors’ financial burden and distress after financial assistance. Support. Care Cancer 2020, 28, 4241–4248. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Landwehr, M.S.; Watson, S.E.; Macpherson, C.F.; Novak, K.A.; Johnson, R.H. The cost of cancer: A retrospective analysis of the financial impact of cancer on young adults. Cancer Med. 2016, 5, 863–870. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Rutledge, R.; Robinson, L. Community-based organizations are critical partners in providing complete cancer care. Curr. Oncol. 2009, 16, 29–33. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Shankaran, V.; Leahy, T.; Steelquist, J.; Watabayashi, K.; Linden, H.; Ramsey, S.; Schwartz, N.; Kreizenbeck, K.; Nelson, J.; Balch, A.; et al. Pilot Feasibility Study of an Oncology Financial Navigation Program. J. Oncol. Pract. 2018, 14, e122–e129. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Triage Cancer. 2024. Available online: https://triagecancer.org/ (accessed on 11 January 2024).
- Cho, E.; Lyon, A.R.; Tugendrajch, S.K.; Marriott, B.R.; Hawley, K.M. Assessing provider perceptions of training: Initial evaluation of the Acceptability, Feasibility, and Appropriateness Scale. Implement. Res. Pract. 2022, 3, 26334895221086269. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Weiner, B.J.; Lewis, C.C.; Stanick, C.; Powell, B.J.; Dorsey, C.N.; Clary, A.S.; Boynton, M.H.; Halko, H. Psychometric assessment of three newly developed implementation outcome measures. Implement. Sci. 2017, 12, 108. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yabroff, K.R.; Zhao, J.; Zheng, Z.; Rai, A.; Han, X. Medical Financial Hardship among Cancer Survivors in the United States: What Do We Know? What Do We Need to Know? Cancer Epidemiol. Biomark. Prev. 2018, 27, 1389–1397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kirchhoff, A.C.; van Thiel Berghuijs, K.M.; Waters, A.R.; Kaddas, H.K.; Warner, E.L.; Vaca Lopez, P.L.; Perez, G.K.; Ray, N.; Chevrier, A.; Allen, K.; et al. Health Insurance Literacy Improvements among Recently Diagnosed Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JCO Oncol. Pract. 2024, 20, 93–101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Lyons, K.D.; Forcino, R.C.; Rotenberg, S.; Schiffelbein, J.E.; Morrissette, K.J.; Godzik, C.M.; Lichtenstein, J.D. “The Last Thing You Have to Worry About”: A Thematic Analysis of Employment Challenges Faced by Cancer Survivors. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 11214. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Head, B.; Harris, L.; Kayser, K.; Martin, A.; Smith, L. As if the disease was not enough: Coping with the financial consequences of cancer. Support. Care Cancer 2018, 26, 975–987. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Zheng, Z.; Han, X.; Zhao, J.; Yabroff, K.R. What can we do to help young cancer survivors minimize financial hardship in the United States? Expert. Rev. Anticancer Ther. 2019, 19, 655–657. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Berghuijs, K.M.v.T.; Kaddas, H.K.; Trujillo, G.; Rouhani, G.; Chevrier, A.; Ose, J.; Shibata, D.; Toriola, A.T.; Figueiredo, J.C.; Peoples, A.R.; et al. Age-related differences in employment, insurance, and financial hardship among colorectal cancer patients: A report from the ColoCare Study. J. Cancer Surviv. 2023, 18, 1075–1084. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bell-Brown, A.; Watabayashi, K.; Delaney, D.; Carlos, R.C.; Langer, S.L.; Unger, J.M.; Vaidya, R.R.; Darke, A.K.; Hershman, D.L.; Ramsey, S.D.; et al. Assessment of financial screening and navigation capabilities at National Cancer Institute community oncology clinics. JNCI Cancer Spectr. 2023, 7, pkad055. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- McLouth, L.E.; Nightingale, C.L.; Dressler, E.V.; Snavely, A.C.; Hudson, M.F.; Unger, J.M.; Kazak, A.E.; Lee, S.J.C.; Edward, J.; Carlos, R.; et al. Current Practices for Screening and Addressing Financial Hardship within the NCI Community Oncology Research Program. Cancer Epidemiol. Biomark. Prev. 2021, 30, 669–675. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Khera, N.; Sugalski, J.; Krause, D.; Butterfield, R.; Zhang, N.; Stewart, F.M.; Carlson, R.W.; Griffin, J.M.; Zafar, S.Y.; Lee, S.J. Current Practices for Screening and Management of Financial Distress at NCCN Member Institutions. J. Natl. Compr. Cancer Netw. JNCCN 2020, 18, 825–831. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- de Souza, J.A.; Yap, B.J.; Wroblewski, K.; Blinder, V.; Araújo, F.S.; Hlubocky, F.J.; Nicholas, L.H.; O’Connor, J.M.; Brockstein, B.; Ratain, M.J.; et al. Measuring financial toxicity as a clinically relevant patient-reported outcome: The validation of the COmprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST). Cancer 2017, 123, 476–484. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Prawitz, A.D.; Garman, E.T.; Sorhaindo, B.; O’Neill, B.; Kim, J.; Drentea, P. Incharge Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale: Development, Administration, and Score Interpretation. Financ. Couns. Plan. 2006, 17, 34–50. [Google Scholar]
- Paez, K.A.; Mallery, C.J.; Noel, H.; Pugliese, C.; McSorley, V.E.; Lucado, J.L.; Ganachari, D. Development of the Health Insurance Literacy Measure (HILM): Conceptualizing and measuring consumer ability to choose and use private health insurance. J. Health Commun. 2014, 19 (Suppl. S2), 225–239. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Gruber-Baldini, A.L.; Velozo, C.; Romero, S.; Shulman, L.M. Validation of the PROMIS® measures of self-efficacy for managing chronic conditions. Qual. Life Res. 2017, 26, 1915–1924. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Cella, D.; Yount, S.; Rothrock, N.; Gershon, R.; Cook, K.; Reeve, B.; Ader, D.; Fries, J.F.; Bruce, B.; Rose, M. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Med. Care 2007, 45, S3–S11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Triage Cancer. Triage Health. Available online: https://www.triagehealth.org/ (accessed on 4 March 2024).
Session Title | Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
An Introduction to Cancer Advocacy and Managing Finances a | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Health Insurance: Understanding Your Options and Using Your Coverage b | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Practical Tools for Managing Medical Bills, Your Financial Health, and Estate Planning Documents c | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Employment 101: Working Through Treatment and Taking Time Off d | X | X | X | X | X | X |
Disability Insurance: Options, Applications, and Appeals e | X | X | X | X | ||
Breakout Session: Nutrition | X | X | ||||
Breakout Session: Fostering Resiliency in Families Facing Cancer | X | |||||
Breakout Session: Post-traumatic Growth | X | |||||
Breakout Session: The Many Layers of Coping with Cancer | X | |||||
Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Opportunities | X |
Year | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | Total N | |
Number of participants | 99 | 110 | 100 | 169 | 348 | 413 | 1239 |
Identity | Total N (%) a | ||||||
Social worker | 19 | 31 | 40 | 32 | 135 | 151 | 408 (32.9) |
Nurse | 26 | 37 | 31 | 74 | 78 | 121 | 367 (29.6) |
Cancer patient/survivor | 37 | 26 | 17 | 35 | 63 | 85 | 263 (21.2) |
Advocate | 16 | 5 | 2 | 8 | 47 | 65 | 143 (11.5) |
Caregiver | 11 | 9 | 10 | 23 | 24 | 43 | 120 (9.7) |
Navigator b | 18 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 19 | 14 | 59 (4.8) |
Other healthcare worker c | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 38 (3.1) |
Supportive care d | 3 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 5 | 31 (2.5) |
Nonprofit professional | 2 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 19 (1.5) |
Attorney | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 15 (1.2) |
Administrative e | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 12 (1.0) |
Researcher | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 11 (0.9) |
Student | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 8 (0.6) |
Race/Ethnicity f | Total N (%) | ||||||
White | - | - | - | - | 164 | 238 | 402 (52.9) |
Black | - | - | - | - | 44 | 76 | 120 (15.8) |
Hispanic | - | - | - | - | 28 | 25 | 53 (7.0) |
Asian | - | - | - | - | 21 | 31 | 52 (6.8) |
Prefer not to answer | - | - | - | - | 9 | 9 | 18 (2.4) |
American Indian or Alaska Native | - | - | - | - | 5 | 5 | 10 (1.3) |
Other | - | - | - | - | 0 | 3 | 3 (0.4) |
Middle Eastern and North African | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 1 (0.1) |
Missing | - | - | - | - | 77 | 25 | 102 (13.4) |
Total | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | 271 | 388 | 760 |
Geographic Region | Total N (%) | ||||||
South | - | - | - | - | - | - | 263 (33.1) |
Midwest | - | - | - | - | - | - | 203 (25.5) |
West | - | - | - | - | - | - | 169 (21.3) |
Northeast | - | - | - | - | - | - | 159 (20.0) |
Other (Portugal) | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 (0.1) |
Total | 795 |
Statement | Overall (N) | Response Options N (%) | AFAS Component a | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Agree | Strongly Agree | N/A | |||
The online location was suitable | 654 | 106 (16.21) | 539 (82.42) | Acceptability | |
The online facilities were conducive to learning. | 668 | 115 (17.64) | 524 (80.37) | Acceptability | |
Conference objectives were met. | 1111 | 128 (11.52) | 976 (87.85) | Acceptability | |
The course content met my expectations. | 669 | 85 (12.71) | 573 (85.65) | Acceptability | |
The content was appropriate for the intended audience. | 667 | 96 (14.39) | 562 (84.26) | Appropriateness | |
The course content was current. | 670 | 66 (9.85) | 602 (89.85) | Appropriateness | |
Instruction materials were suitable and useful. | 659 | 92 (13.83) | 561 (84.36) | Appropriateness | |
The instructor was responsive to participants (Instructor 1). | 669 | 71 (10.61) | 596 (88.96) | Acceptability | |
The instructor was responsive to participants (Instructor 2). | 668 | 72 (10.78) | 594 (88.92) | Acceptability | |
The instructor was responsive to participants (Instructor 3). | 378 | 33 (8.73) | 345 (91.27) | Acceptability | |
Overall (N) | Good | Excellent | |||
Value of information presented at the conference | 355 | 35 (9.86) | 317 (89.30) | Acceptability | |
Value of materials provided | 221 | 17 (7.69) | 203 (91.86) | Appropriateness | |
Usefulness of the session: An Introduction to Cancer Advocacy and Managing Finances | 1090 | 159 (14.59) | 914 (83.85) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Health Insurance: Understanding Your Options and Using Your Coverage | 1168 | 151 (12.93) | 1009 (86.39) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Practical Tools for Managing Medical Bills, Your Financial Health, and Estate Planning Documents | 1106 | 164 (14.83) | 935 (84.54) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Employment 101: Working Through Treatment and Taking Time Off | 1052 | 169 (16.06) | 873 (82.98) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Disability Insurance: Options, Applications, and Appeals | 871 | 129 (14.81) | 725 (83.24) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Breakout Session: Fostering Resiliency in Families Facing Cancer | 36 | 12 (33.33) | 24 (66.67) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Breakout Session: Post-traumatic Growth | 29 | 6 (20.69) | 22 (76.86) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Breakout Session: Nutrition | 62 | 18 (29.03) | 42 (67.74) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Breakout Session: The Many Layers of Coping with Cancer | 13 | 1 (7.69) | 12 (92.31) | Feasibility | |
Usefulness of the session: Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Opportunities | 285 | 74 (25.96) | 206 (72.28) | Feasibility | |
Registration Process | 450 | 59 (13.11) | 386 (85.78) | Acceptability | |
Location of conference | 288 | 52 (18.06) | 231 (80.21) | Acceptability | |
Quality of instruction and teaching ability (Instructor 1) | 668 | 49 (7.34) | 618 (92.51) | Acceptability | |
Quality of instruction and teaching ability (Instructor 2). | 669 | 48 (7.17) | 621 (92.83) | Acceptability | |
Quality of instruction and teaching ability (Instructor 3). | 375 | 28 (7.47) | 346 (92.27) | Acceptability | |
Overall (N) | Too short | Just right | Too long | ||
Length of Conference | 947 | 33 (3.48) | 502 (53.01) | 412 (43.51) | Acceptability |
Overall (N) | Likely | Very likely | N/A | ||
Likelihood of using Triage Cancer service: Cancer Survivorship Webinars | 834 | 209 (25.06) | 538 (64.51) | 17 (2.04) | Appropriateness |
Likelihood of using Triage Cancer service: Triage Cancer Insurance and Finance Intensive (for health care professionals) | 803 | 181 (22.54) | 545 (67.87) | 23 (2.86) | Appropriateness |
Likelihood of using Triage Cancer service: Quick Guides | 836 | 152 (18.18) | 645 (77.15) | 14 (1.67) | Appropriateness |
Likelihood of using Triage Cancer service: Online Resources | 837 | 143 (17.11) | 662 (79.19) | 13 (1.56) | Appropriateness |
Likelihood of using Triage Cancer service: Educational Blog | 827 | 245 (29.63) | 433 (52.36) | 15 (1.81) | Appropriateness |
Overall (N) | No | Yes | |||
Likelihood of attending a future Triage Cancer event ever again | 1106 | 22 (1.99) | 1084 (98.01) | Feasibility | |
Overall (N) | 50% | 75% | 100% | ||
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: An Introduction to Cancer Advocacy and Managing Finances b | 665 | 104 (15.64) | 210 (31.58) | 315 (47.37) | Feasibility |
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: Health Insurance: Understanding Your Options and Using Your Coverage b | 617 | 82 (13.29) | 172 (27.88) | 332 (53.81) | Feasibility |
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: Practical Tools for Managing Medical Bills, Your Financial Health, and Estate Planning Documents b | 590 | 88 (14.92) | 150 (25.42) | 327 (55.42) | Feasibility |
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: Employment 101: Working Through Treatment and Taking Time Off b | 582 | 79 (13.57) | 161 (27.66) | 304 (52.23) | Feasibility |
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: Employment 201: Disability Insurance b | 584 | 89 (15.24) | 148 (25.34) | 304 (52.05) | Feasibility |
Percentage of patients likely to share information with from session: Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Opportunities b | 284 | 44 (15.49) | 76 (26.76) | 144 (50.70) | Feasibility |
Response Options N (%) | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Session | Objective | Overall (n) | Agree | Strongly Agree | Exemplar Quotes |
An Introduction to Cancer Advocacy and Managing Finances / Cancer Advocacy, Being Empowered, and Introduction to Financial Toxicity | 1. Outline how healthcare professionals can engage in various types of advocacy and encourage their patients to be advocates. | 1076 | 154 (14.31) | 918 (85.32) | “I plan to help my patients calculate their true health coverage cost and encourage them to get copies of their medical records.” [Advocate] “I plan to [be] sure that everyone I am speaking to is going to vote on the issues that are important to them and their healthcare needs.” [Financial Navigator] |
2. Delineate the major contributing factors to financial toxicity after a cancer diagnosis. | 742 | 91 (12.26) | 647 (87.20) | ||
3. Articulate ways in which patients can be empowered and engaged in their treatment, including access to clinical trials, second opinions, precision medicine, and genetics. | 332 | 41 (12.35) | 289 (87.05) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 748 | 123 (16.44) | 617 (82.49) | ||
Health Insurance: Understanding Your Options and Using Your Coverage | 1. Outline the various healthcare and health insurance options available to cancer survivors. | 1121 | 156 (13.92) | 958 (85.46) | “Triage Cancer is providing a much-needed service for healthcare workers, patients and families. This was a very clear and thorough introduction to health insurance. This was very empowering to me, because it not only demonstrated just what makes the situation so toxic, but also was the first clear overview of the process I have seen that is also very clear about the different levels of insurance appeal. I also love finally understanding Medicare. Additionally, I especially love the “do the math” comparisons.” [Nurse Practitioner] |
2. Outline practical tools and tips for rebuilding financial health after a cancer diagnosis. | 305 | 31 (10.16) | 273 (89.51) | ||
3. Identify financial assistance options available to pay for health care and other expenses. | 303 | 30 (9.90) | 271 (89.44) | ||
4. Articulate how patients can effectively choose between plan options. | 633 | 113 (17.85) | 518 (81.83) | ||
5. Explain the appeal process. | 713 | 147 (20.62) | 560 (78.54) | ||
6. Describe consumer protections included in various federal laws. | 813 | 185 (22.76) | 623 (76.63) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 688 | 120 (17.44) | 558 (81.10) | ||
Practical Tools for Managing Medical Bills, Your Financial Health, and Estate Planning Documents | 1. Outline practical tools and tips for rebuilding financial health after a cancer diagnosis. | 966 | 185 (19.15) | 754 (78.05) | “I plan to be more proactive in my health care and its costs” [Nurse] “I plan to use the tools on the site to help me plan any future medical leave so I always protect myself. Additionally, will get my estate docs in order so my husband does not need to stress about those things should anything happen to me!” [Patient with cancer] “I plan to implement these into my practice but also into my personal life—it’s never too early to make plans such as estate planning, medical power of attorney, even if it’s ‘just in case’” [Social Worker] |
2. Identify financial assistance options available to pay for health care and other expenses. | 663 | 111 (16.74) | 520 (78.43) | ||
3. Articulate the various documents that can make up an estate plan. | 920 | 137 (14.89) | 756 (82.17) | ||
4. Describe one’s options to protect their rights to make decisions about medical care (e.g., medical decision-making). | 552 | 68 (12.32) | 460 (83.33) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 653 | 121 (18.53) | 521 (79.79) | ||
Employment 101: Working Through Treatment and Taking Time Off | 1. Describe how the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) can be useful to individuals diagnosed with cancer | 930 | 127 (13.66) | 789 (84.84) | “I liked understanding what protections are in place for individuals and plan to make sure my agency (I am on the leadership team) knows and follows them.” [Social Worker] “I plan to be my own advocate for reasonable accommodations.” [Nurse] |
2. Articulate patients’ disclosure rights and medical exam requirements under various federal and state laws | 1016 | 185 (18.21) | 814 (80.12) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 634 | 122 (19.24) | 496 (78.23) | ||
Employment 201: Disability Insurance / Disability Insurance: Options, Applications, and Appeals | 1. Articulate how disability insurance can be useful to someone who can no longer work as a result of cancer, | 933 | 151 (16.18) | 766 (82.10) | “I liked how you broke down the 12 months retroactive period and backpay—it was helpful to have examples. Additionally, I plan to share the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) timing examples with patients.” [Social Worker] “I plan to use this information (and math!) to help patients make the best decisions to get payment.” [Social Worker] |
2. Describe the legal protections and benefits to which patients and caregivers may be entitled while searching for a job after a diagnosis or while working through treatment. | 150 | 39 (26.0) | 111 (74.0) | ||
3. Outline practical tools and tips for navigating the job search process, working through treatment, and reasonable accommodations. | 150 | 33 (22.0) | 117 (78.0) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 627 | 125 (19.94) | 484 (77.19) | ||
Breakout Session: Fostering Resiliency in Families Facing Cancer | 1. Learn about the common reactions of children and teens to a cancer diagnosis in the family and how to identify signs of distress. | 31 | 6 (19.35) | 24 (77.42) | “I liked the topic on creativity, it gave me an insight on cancer free zones and creating rituals. Life does not have to evolve solely around cancer.“ [Nurse] “I plan to try to see how our area can tap resources and will try to find resources in our rural area—biggest barrier/challenge to this care.” [Nurse] |
2. Understand the role of resilience in families facing cancer and how to help families facing cancer and how to help families engage their natural strengths to cope with and grow through a cancer diagnosis. | 31 | 6 (19.35) | 24 (77.42) | ||
3. Explore the world of resources for parents, teens and children affected by cancer, and how to best connect families to valuable support. | 29 | 5 (17.24) | 24 (82.76) | ||
Breakout Session: Post-traumatic Growth | 1. Outline post traumatic traits. | 20 | 3 (15.0) | 17 (85.0) | “I learned that trauma does not have to crush you but you can learn to grow through it.” [Social Worker] |
2. Articulate the ten ingredients to resiliency. | 20 | 3 (15.0) | 17 (85.0) | ||
Breakout Session: Nutrition | 1. Outline common myths about nutrition after cancer. | 20 | 2 (10.0) | 18 (90.0) | “I plan to use information to be a better advocate to patients to form better nutritional habits.” [Social Worker] “I plan to work on menu options each week.” [Nurse] |
2. Articulate top nutritional recommendations. | 20 | 2 (10.0) | 18 (90.0) | ||
3. Describe the role nutrition plays in cancer survivorship. | 33 | 7 (21.21) | 25 (75.76) | ||
4. Outline steps patients can take to improve their nutrition. | 33 | 6 (18.18) | 27 (81.82) | ||
5. Identify resources for patients to learn more about improving nutrition. | 33 | 6 (18.18) | 26 (78.79) | ||
Breakout Session: The Many Layers of Coping with Cancer | 1. Learn about the common reactions of children and teens to a cancer diagnosis in the family and how to identify signs of distress. | 11 | 1 (9.09) | 10 (90.91) | “I learned that there is help available to facilitate how a patient or family members cope with cancer. Additionally, I plan to give my patients and the community some tips to cope with their cancer diagnosis.” [Nurse] |
2. Understand the role of resilience in families facing cancer and how to help families engage their natural strengths to cope with and grow through a cancer diagnosis. | 11 | 1 (9.09) | 10 (90.91) | ||
3. Explore the world of resources for parents, teens, and children affected by cancer and how to best connect families to valuable support. | 11 | 1 (9.09) | 10 (90.91) | ||
4. Understand the emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, andfinancial impacts of cancer. | 16 | 4 (25.0) | 12 (75.0) | ||
5. Learn concepts of post-traumatic growth and resilience and how they relate to cancer diagnosis and can aid recovery and health adjustment | 16 | 4 (25.0) | 12 (75.0) | ||
6. Learn about community resources to enhance personal well-being | 16 | 4 (25.0) | 12 (75.0) | ||
Cancer Survivorship and Advocacy Opportunities | 1. Articulate ways in which patients can be empowered and engaged in their treatment, including access to cancer survivorship care plans. | 348 | 51 (14.66) | 286 (82.18) | “I liked that there were concrete examples to get involved and advocate on many levels.” [Social Worker] “Attending really helped me to understand how I can be a better advocate and to manage finances better.” [Social Worker] |
2. Outline various legislative advocacy opportunities that exist to improve the quality of life for those coping with cancer. | 285 | 64 (22.46) | 212 (74.39) | ||
This information will actually benefit myself, my loved ones, my patients, my community, etc. | 283 | 76 (26.86) | 183 (64.66) |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Ghazal, L.V.; Doran, J.; Bryant, M.; Zebrack, B.; Liang, M.I. Evaluation of a Conference on Cancer-Related Financial and Legal Issues: A Potential Resource to Counter Financial Toxicity. Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31, 2817-2835. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31050214
Ghazal LV, Doran J, Bryant M, Zebrack B, Liang MI. Evaluation of a Conference on Cancer-Related Financial and Legal Issues: A Potential Resource to Counter Financial Toxicity. Current Oncology. 2024; 31(5):2817-2835. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31050214
Chicago/Turabian StyleGhazal, Lauren V., Joanna Doran, Monica Bryant, Brad Zebrack, and Margaret I. Liang. 2024. "Evaluation of a Conference on Cancer-Related Financial and Legal Issues: A Potential Resource to Counter Financial Toxicity" Current Oncology 31, no. 5: 2817-2835. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31050214