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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research article

The utilization of formal and informal home care by older patients with cancer: a Belgian cohort study with two control groups

Authors: Abdelbari Baitar, Frank Buntinx, Tine De Burghgraeve, Laura Deckx, Paul Bulens, Hans Wildiers, Marjan van den Akker

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the utilization of formal and informal home care among older patients with cancer (OCP) and to compare this with middle-aged patients with cancer (MCP) and older patients without cancer (ONC). Additionally, we examined predictors of transitions towards formal care one year after a cancer diagnosis.

Methods

OCP and MCP had to be recruited within three months after a cancer diagnosis and have an estimated life expectancy over six months. ONC consisted of patients without known cancer, seen by the general practitioner. Formal and informal care were compared between the patient groups at baseline, i.e. shortly after a cancer diagnosis and changes in care were studied after one year.

Results

A total of 844 patients were evaluable for formal care at baseline and 469 patients (56%) at follow-up. At baseline, about half of older adults and 18% of MCP used formal care, while about 85% of cancer patients and 57% ONC used informal care. Formal care increased for all groups after one year though not significantly in OCP. The amount of informal care only changed in MCP which decreased after one year. Cancer-related factors and changes in need factors predict a transition towards formal care after a cancer diagnosis.

Conclusions

A cancer diagnosis has a different impact on the use of formal and informal care than ageing as such. The first year after a cancer diagnosis is an important time to follow-up on the patients’ needs for home care.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
The utilization of formal and informal home care by older patients with cancer: a Belgian cohort study with two control groups
Authors
Abdelbari Baitar
Frank Buntinx
Tine De Burghgraeve
Laura Deckx
Paul Bulens
Hans Wildiers
Marjan van den Akker
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2594-4

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