Cancer care for people with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) - patient perspectives

Abstract

Objectives

People with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) experience inequities in cancer care. This study aims to deepen understanding of cancer care for individuals with SMHD.

Method

We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven individuals with SMHD regarding their experiences accessing and engaging with cancer care from August 2021 to February 2022. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis where both inductive and deductive coding was adopted through the lens of the socio-ecological model (SEM) as a theoretical framework.

Results

The main themes included intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational barriers and facilitators to care with a specific focus on modifiable factors related to cancer care delivery.

Conclusion

This study provides further evidence for promoting collaborative mental health and cancer care delivery to prevent inequalities in cancer care for patients with SMHD.

Practice implications

Adopting an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to cancer care and help with patient navigation across services are potential factors in improving cancer care for individuals with SMHD.

Keywords:

• cancer care
• significant mental health difficulties

Author contributions

All authors contributed to this work and authorship of this manuscript. D.L. planned, conducted the search, collected the data, analyzed the results, wrote and reviewed the manuscript; KI provided writing and review support, GM facilitated data collection and provided writing supports, P.D. acted as a second coder and provided writing and review support.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.