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Open Access 01-05-2024 | Comment

Addressing transportation barriers in oncology: existing programs and new solutions

Authors: Sophia Pringle, Emily M. Ko, Meredith Doherty, Anna Jo Bodurtha Smith

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 5/2024

Abstract

Transportation is an underrecognized, but modifiable barrier to accessing cancer care, especially for clinical trials. Clinicians, insurers, and health systems can screen patients for transportation needs and link them to transportation. Direct transportation services (i.e., ride-sharing, insurance-provided transportation) have high rates of patient satisfaction and visit completion. Patient financial reimbursements provide necessary funds to counteract the effects of transportation barriers, which can lead to higher trial enrollment, especially for low socioeconomic status and racially and ethnically diverse patients. Expanding transportation interventions to more cancer patients, and addressing knowledge, service, and system gaps, can help more patients access needed cancer care.

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Title: Addressing transportation barriers in oncology: existing programs and new solutions
Authors: Sophia Pringle
Emily M. Ko
Meredith Doherty
Anna Jo Bodurtha Smith
Publication date: 01-05-2024
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 5/2024
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-024-08514-2

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