Psychosocial Experiences in an Australian Rural Cancer Service: Mixed-Method Insights into Psychological Distress and Psychosocial Service Barriers

Barnes, M; Rice, K; Usher, K; Thorsteinsson, EB; Murray, CV; Ord, F

Psychosocial Experiences in an Australian Rural Cancer Service: Mixed-Method Insights into Psychological Distress and Psychosocial Service Barriers

Barnes, M Rice, K Usher, K

Thorsteinsson, EB Murray, CV Ord, F

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Publisher:: WILEY-HINDAWI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, 2023, 2023
Issue Date:: 2023-12-29

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Barnes, M
dc.contributor.author	Rice, K
dc.contributor.author	Usher, K https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9686-5003
dc.contributor.author	Thorsteinsson, EB
dc.contributor.author	Murray, CV
dc.contributor.author	Ord, F
dc.contributor.editor	Chen, Q-W
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-25T05:08:25Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-25T05:08:25Z
dc.date.issued	2023-12-29
dc.identifier.citation	HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY, 2023, 2023
dc.identifier.issn	0966-0410
dc.identifier.issn	1365-2524
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174942
dc.description.abstract	<jats:p>Purpose. To examine psychosocial and well-being concerns throughout the cancer experience, from prediagnosis to survivorship. Whilst most oncology research focuses on patients, the role and experiences of families and caregivers are increasingly recognised as a core component of health service delivery. Moreover, research suggests that geography is an important consideration, with evidence of rural inequities in health service provision and access. Aims. (i) To examine the unique patient and caregiver experiences of rural people in three rural cancer treatment centres in New South Wales (NSW) and (ii) to examine the barriers to rural patients and caregivers accessing psycho-oncological support in NSW. Methods. A convergent parallel mixed-method evaluation of the psychosocial experiences of rural patients and caregivers accessing cancer services through three health services in rural NSW was undertaken (N = 125). Measures of psychological distress as well as quantitative and qualitative barriers data were collected. Results. Approximately, one-third of the participants reported moderate to severe distress. Patients and caregivers reported systemic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and pandemic-specific barriers in accessing quality psychosocial healthcare. Conclusions. These results suggest that cancer patients and caregivers in rural NSW may experience elevated levels of psychological distress and barriers in accessing psychosocial care. The combination of high psychological need for patients and caregivers with reduced availability of psychosocial support services has substantial implications for psychological wellbeing and service provision. Underdetection of psychosocial need and a lack of support services pose a significant challenge for rural people with cancer and for those who care for them; this must be an urgent priority for quality improvement and equitable healthcare provision.</jats:p>
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	WILEY-HINDAWI
dc.relation.ispartof	HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1155/2023/9040803
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services, 1607 Social Work
dc.subject.classification	Nursing
dc.subject.classification	4203 Health services and systems
dc.subject.classification	4206 Public health
dc.subject.classification	4409 Social work
dc.title	Psychosocial Experiences in an Australian Rural Cancer Service: Mixed-Method Insights into Psychological Distress and Psychosocial Service Barriers
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	2023
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
utslib.for	1607 Social Work
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-25T05:08:23Z
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	2023

Abstract:

Purpose. To examine psychosocial and well-being concerns throughout the cancer experience, from prediagnosis to survivorship. Whilst most oncology research focuses on patients, the role and experiences of families and caregivers are increasingly recognised as a core component of health service delivery. Moreover, research suggests that geography is an important consideration, with evidence of rural inequities in health service provision and access. Aims. (i) To examine the unique patient and caregiver experiences of rural people in three rural cancer treatment centres in New South Wales (NSW) and (ii) to examine the barriers to rural patients and caregivers accessing psycho-oncological support in NSW. Methods. A convergent parallel mixed-method evaluation of the psychosocial experiences of rural patients and caregivers accessing cancer services through three health services in rural NSW was undertaken (N = 125). Measures of psychological distress as well as quantitative and qualitative barriers data were collected. Results. Approximately, one-third of the participants reported moderate to severe distress. Patients and caregivers reported systemic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and pandemic-specific barriers in accessing quality psychosocial healthcare. Conclusions. These results suggest that cancer patients and caregivers in rural NSW may experience elevated levels of psychological distress and barriers in accessing psychosocial care. The combination of high psychological need for patients and caregivers with reduced availability of psychosocial support services has substantial implications for psychological wellbeing and service provision. Underdetection of psychosocial need and a lack of support services pose a significant challenge for rural people with cancer and for those who care for them; this must be an urgent priority for quality improvement and equitable healthcare provision.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174942