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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Burden of socio-legal concerns among vulnerable patients seeking cancer care services at an urban safety-net hospital: a cross-sectional survey

Authors: Naomi Yu Ko, Tracy A. Battaglia, Rebecca Gupta-Lawrence, Jessica Schiller, Christine Gunn, Kate Festa, Kerrie Nelson, JoHanna Flacks, Samantha J. Morton, Jennifer E. Rosen

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Social and economic conditions that affect one’s ability to satisfy life’s most basic needs such as lack of affordable housing, restricted access to education and employment, or inadequate income are increasingly well-documented barriers to optimal health. The burden of these challenges among vulnerable patients accessing cancer care services is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients presenting for ambulatory cancer care services (screening and treatment) at an urban safety-net hospital to assess socio-legal concerns (social problems related to meeting life’s basic needs supported by public policy or programming and potentially remedied through legal advocacy/action).

Results

Among 104 respondents, 80 (77 %) reported concerns with one or more socio-legal needs in the past month, with a mean of 5.75 concerns per participant. The most common socio-legal concerns related to income supports, housing, and employment/education.

Conclusion

Our findings support the need for innovations in cancer care delivery to address socio-legal concerns of a vulnerable patient population.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Burden of socio-legal concerns among vulnerable patients seeking cancer care services at an urban safety-net hospital: a cross-sectional survey
Authors
Naomi Yu Ko
Tracy A. Battaglia
Rebecca Gupta-Lawrence
Jessica Schiller
Christine Gunn
Kate Festa
Kerrie Nelson
JoHanna Flacks
Samantha J. Morton
Jennifer E. Rosen
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-016-1443-1

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