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

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, San Diego State University, 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182-4119, USA

    Eunjeong Ko

  2. School of Social Work, Center for Alcohol and Drug Studies, San Diego State University, 6386 Alvarado Court Ste 224, San Diego, CA, 92120, USA

    María Luisa Zúñiga

  3. Cancer Resource Center of the Desert, 444 So.8th Street Ste. B3, El Centro, CA, 92243, USA

    Helen Palomino, Diana Peacher & Mercedes Watson

Authors
  1. Eunjeong Ko
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  2. María Luisa Zúñiga
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  3. Helen Palomino
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  4. Diana Peacher
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  5. Mercedes Watson
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Correspondence to Eunjeong Ko.

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We would like to declare that there is no conflict of interest for all authors.

Informed Consent

All study participants signed the informed consent and this study was approved by the San Diego State University Institutional Review Board.

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Ko, E., Zúñiga, M.L., Palomino, H. et al. Qualitative Study of Latino Cancer Patient Perspectives on Care Access and Continuity in a Rural, U.S.-Mexico Border Region. J Immigrant Minority Health 20, 674–679 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0605-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0605-5

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