Search Results (2)

Background: We sought to evaluate rural–urban disparities in patient care experiences (PCEs) among localized prostate cancer (PCa) survivors at intermediate-to-high risk of disease progression. Methods: Using 2007–2015 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data linked to Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys, we analyzed survivors’ first survey ≥6 months post-diagnosis. Covariate adjusted linear regressions were used to estimate associations of treatment status (definitive treatment vs. none) and residence (large metro vs. metro vs. rural) with PCE composite and rating measures. Results: Among 3779 PCa survivors, 1798 (53.2%) and 370 (10.9%) resided in large metro and rural areas, respectively; more rural (vs. large metro) residents were untreated (21.9% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.017). Untreated (vs. treated) PCa survivors reported lower scores for doctor communication (ß = −2.0; p = 0.022), specialist rating (ß = −2.5; p = 0.008), and overall care rating (ß = −2.4; p = 0.006). While treated rural survivors gave higher (ß = 3.6; p = 0.022) scores for obtaining needed care, untreated rural survivors gave lower scores for obtaining needed care (ß = −7.0; p = 0.017) and a lower health plan rating (ß = −7.9; p = 0.003) compared to their respective counterparts in large metro areas. Conclusions: Rural PCa survivors are less likely to receive treatment. Rural–urban differences in PCEs varied by treatment status. Full article

Purpose: To evaluate racial/ethnic disparities in patient care experiences (PCEs) among prostate cancer (PCa) survivors. Methods: This retrospective study used 2007–2015 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results registry data linked to Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys. First survey ≥ 6 months post-PCa diagnosis was analyzed. We performed multivariable linear regression, adjusting for demographic and clinical covariates, to evaluate the association of race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs), non-Hispanic Black (NHBs), Hispanic, non-Hispanic Asian (NHAs), and other races) with PCE composite measures: getting needed care, doctor communication, getting care quickly, getting needed prescription drugs (Rx), and customer service. Results: Among 7319 PCa survivors, compared to NHWs, Hispanics, NHBs and NHAs reported lower scores for getting care quickly (ß = −3.69; p = 0.002, ß = −2.44; p = 0.021, and ß = −6.44; p < 0.001, respectively); Hispanics scored worse on getting needed care (ß = −2.16; p = 0.042) and getting needed Rx (ß = −2.93; p = 0.009), and NHAs scored worse on customer service (ß = −7.60; p = 0.003), and getting needed Rx (ß = −3.08; p = 0.020). However, NHBs scored better than NHWs on doctor communication (ß = 1.95, p = 0.006). No statistically significant differences were found between other races and NHWs. Conclusions: Comparing to NHWs, Hispanics and NHAs reported worse experiences on several PCE composite measures, while NHBs reported worse scores on one but better scores on another PCE composite measure. Further research is needed to understand the reasons behind these disparities and their influence on healthcare utilization and health outcomes among PCa survivors. Full article