干旱区生态环境知识资源中心(Arid): Applying a medical deserts lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022-a mixed-methods analysis

Arid

DOI	10.1186/s13690-024-01353-x
	Applying a medical deserts lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022-a mixed-methods analysis
	Brinzac, Monica Georgiana; Ungureanu, Marius Ionut; Baba, Catalin Ovidiu
通讯作者	Brînzac, MG
来源期刊	ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH
ISSN	0778-7367
EISSN	2049-3258
出版年	2024
卷号	82 期号:1
英文摘要	BackgroundMedical deserts pose significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, leading to unmet healthcare needs and exacerbated health issues, particularly in underserved regions.MethodsThis study aims to characterise cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania through the lens of medical desertification, employing a mixed-methods approach.Quantitative analysis - descriptive statistics - of secondary data from the Activity of Healthcare Units reports from 2009 to 2022, along with qualitative data - thematic analysis - from interviews with cancer patients and healthcare professionals, were employed to uncover the current state of cancer care in Romania.MethodsThis study aims to characterise cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania through the lens of medical desertification, employing a mixed-methods approach.Quantitative analysis - descriptive statistics - of secondary data from the Activity of Healthcare Units reports from 2009 to 2022, along with qualitative data - thematic analysis - from interviews with cancer patients and healthcare professionals, were employed to uncover the current state of cancer care in Romania.ResultsThe qualitative analysis highlighted the prevalence of medical deserts in oncology, with inadequate human resources, facility deficiencies, prolonged waiting times, high costs, and socio-cultural barriers hindering access to cancer care.Opportunities for action include revising treatment protocols, enhancing palliative care, implementing prevention strategies, promoting collaboration among healthcare professionals, and digitalising the healthcare system. However, challenges persist, including a shortage of oncology specialists, geographical disparities in cancer prevalence, and limited access to advanced treatment modalities in rural areas.ResultsThe qualitative analysis highlighted the prevalence of medical deserts in oncology, with inadequate human resources, facility deficiencies, prolonged waiting times, high costs, and socio-cultural barriers hindering access to cancer care.Opportunities for action include revising treatment protocols, enhancing palliative care, implementing prevention strategies, promoting collaboration among healthcare professionals, and digitalising the healthcare system. However, challenges persist, including a shortage of oncology specialists, geographical disparities in cancer prevalence, and limited access to advanced treatment modalities in rural areas.ConclusionsAddressing medical deserts in cancer care requires comprehensive approaches, including strategic resource allocation, workforce development, infrastructure investments, access to innovative treatments, and digital health technologies. Collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities is crucial to mitigating medical deserts and improving cancer outcomes.Despite limitations, this study provides valuable insights into cancer care services and underscores the need for concerted efforts to overcome medical desertification and ensure equitable access to high-quality cancer care.ConclusionsAddressing medical deserts in cancer care requires comprehensive approaches, including strategic resource allocation, workforce development, infrastructure investments, access to innovative treatments, and digital health technologies. Collaboration among policymakers, healthcare providers, and communities is crucial to mitigating medical deserts and improving cancer outcomes. Despite limitations, this study provides valuable insights into cancer care services and underscores the need for concerted efforts to overcome medical desertification and ensure equitable access to high-quality cancer care. center dot The study reveals medical deserts in Romania's North-West region, marked by limited access to oncology facilities and healthcare professionals due to various barriers such as inadequate resources, long waiting times, and high costs.center dot Addressing medical desertification requires revising treatment protocols, enhancing palliative care, implementing prevention strategies, and embracing digital health. Despite challenges like specialist shortages and geographic disparities, collaborative efforts can improve cancer care accessibility and quality.center dot Strategic resource allocation, workforce development, and digitalization are essential for successfully mitigating medical deserts in oncology and ensuring equitable access to high-quality cancer care across the region.
英文关键词	Medical deserts Health systems Access to healthcare Oncology Cancer care Quality of care Human resources in health Mixed-methods
类型	Article
语种	英语
开放获取类型	gold
收录类别	SCI-E ; SSCI
WOS记录号	WOS:001304482600001
WOS类目	Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
WOS研究方向	Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
资源类型	期刊论文
条目标识符	http://119.78.100.177/qdio/handle/2XILL650/402937
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Brinzac, Monica Georgiana,Ungureanu, Marius Ionut,Baba, Catalin Ovidiu. Applying a medical deserts lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022-a mixed-methods analysis[J],2024,82(1).
APA	Brinzac, Monica Georgiana,Ungureanu, Marius Ionut,&Baba, Catalin Ovidiu.(2024).Applying a medical deserts lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022-a mixed-methods analysis.ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH,82(1).
MLA	Brinzac, Monica Georgiana,et al."Applying a medical deserts lens to cancer care services in the North-West region of Romania from 2009 to 2022-a mixed-methods analysis".ARCHIVES OF PUBLIC HEALTH 82.1(2024).