An Evaluation of the Transportation Needs of Disadvantaged Cancer Patients

Abstract

In an earlier study, 128 socioeconomically disadvantaged cancer patients who were receiving follow-up care in a general medicine clinic were surveyed to assess their concrete needs. Respondents reported a variety of transportation problems (e.g., cost of transportation, cost of parking). A large number of these patients also reported missing clinic appointments because of transportation difficulties. Fifty-three of the original 128 patients participated in the present study, which compared the effects of providing patients with information only about transportation resources and providing patients with this information plus assistance in selecting the appropriate transportation resource. The authors found that the transportation needs of disadvantaged cancer patients could be better met. Information about transportation resources alone was insufficient to improve disadvantaged cancer patients' compliance with clinic appointments. However, helping them select an appropriate transportation resource did help them comply with clinic appointments.