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Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 3/2018

01-06-2018 | Original Paper

Qualitative Study of Latino Cancer Patient Perspectives on Care Access and Continuity in a Rural, U.S.-Mexico Border Region

Authors: Eunjeong Ko, María Luisa Zúñiga, Helen Palomino, Diana Peacher, Mercedes Watson

Published in: Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health | Issue 3/2018

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Abstract

Access to quality cancer care for cancer patients living in the rural U.S.-Mexico border region is complex due to common binational health care-seeking behaviors and regional socio-economic and cultural characteristics. But little is known about the challenges border dwelling residents face when navigating their cancer care systems. In-depth interviews were conducted with 22 cancer patients in Southern California. Thematic analysis was applied to identify patterns of meaning in the data. Emerging themes were: (1) delays in cancer care coordination: (a) poor coordination of cancer care (b) U.S. and cross-border discordance in cancer diagnosis; (2) regional shortage of cancer specialists; and (3) financial hardship. Findings revealed that care needs distinctly involved care coordination in/outside of the patient’s community and bi-national care coordination. In addition to local solutions to improve cancer coordination through community-based partnerships, efforts to bridge care in a two-nation context are also imperative.
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Metadata
Title
Qualitative Study of Latino Cancer Patient Perspectives on Care Access and Continuity in a Rural, U.S.-Mexico Border Region
Authors
Eunjeong Ko
María Luisa Zúñiga
Helen Palomino
Diana Peacher
Mercedes Watson
Publication date
01-06-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health / Issue 3/2018
Print ISSN: 1557-1912
Electronic ISSN: 1557-1920
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0605-5

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