DUBLIN, Ohio, May 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 90% of
oncologists said social determinants of health (SDOH) such as
financial security, access to food and social isolation are
significantly impacting outcomes for cancer patients, according to
new research from Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions. The findings
provide important insights at a time when the impact of social and
economic factors on health are being examined more closely, as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
These findings were released today in the seventh edition
of Oncology Insights, a research-based report series
analyzing the views of more than 160 U.S. oncologists. This edition
focuses on the implications of SDOH on cancer treatment and issues
related to caring for a growing number of cancer survivors.
Two-thirds (68%) of the participating oncologists said at least
half of their patients are negatively impacted by
SDOH. Financial insecurity/lack of health insurance
(83%) was by far the most cited barrier for patients according to
participating oncologists, with access to transportation (58%) and
health literacy (53%) also among the top responses.
The respondents said responsibility for programs to address SDOH
falls across all players in the healthcare system, and most (76%)
perceive that assistance programs are not readily accessible, while
81% say that they and their staff
are constrained in the amount of time they can spend assisting
patients with social needs.
"Our survey shows that oncologists believe a patient's
social determinants of health are critically important when it
comes to outcomes. Yet addressing social determinants isn't a
simple matter, and oncologists believe that everyone in the
healthcare system must play a role in the solution," said
Bruce Feinberg, DO, Vice President
and Chief Medical Officer of Cardinal Health Specialty
Solutions.
The report also looked at oncologists' views on supporting the
growing numbers of cancer survivors – a good news development that
also presents challenges to care. Key findings include:
- Eighty-six percent of
respondents agree they are seeing a greater number of cancer
survivors in their practice than they did five years ago.
- Nearly three-quarters of participating oncologists said they
need more training in supporting the needs of cancer survivors,
particularly in management of side effects (56%) and stress
management (45%).
- Desired strategies for managing the growing number of cancer
survivors varied greatly, but most participating oncologists
anticipate hiring additional advanced practice providers to help do
so.
About the Survey
The findings in Oncology
Insights are based on web-based surveys conducted in
advance of a Cardinal Health Summit conducted in February 2020, with additional responses also
collected via web-based surveys in March and April 2020. More than 160 oncologists from a mix
of community- and hospital-based practices participated in the
research. The report also includes viewpoints from Cardinal Health
Chief Medical Officer Bruce Feinberg, DO, and Vice President
and Senior Medical Director Ajeet
Gajra, MD, MBBS, FACP.
About Cardinal Health
Cardinal Health, Inc. is a
global, integrated healthcare services and products company,
providing customized solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems,
pharmacies, ambulatory surgery centers, clinical laboratories and
physician offices worldwide. The company enhances supply chain
efficiency for clinically proven medical products, pharmaceuticals
and cost-effective solutions. To combat prescription drug misuse,
the Cardinal Health Foundation and its education partners created
Generation Rx, a national drug prevention education and
awareness program. The Foundation actively supports an array of
other solutions, including efforts to reduce opioid
prescribing, promote drug take back and safe disposal and
expand collaborative community work.
Cardinal Health is backed by nearly 100 years of experience with
operations in nearly 46 countries. For more information, visit
cardinalhealth.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and
LinkedIn.
Contacts
Media: to request a copy of the report,
please contact Marcia Frederick,
marcia.frederick@cardinalhealth.com and (614) 757-9968; Investors:
Kevin Moran,
kevin.moran@cardinalhealth.com and (614) 757-7942.
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SOURCE Cardinal Health