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Rural–Urban Disparities in Patient Care Experiences among Prostate Cancer Survivors: A SEER-CAHPS Study

Research Authors
Ambrish A. Pandit, Nilesh N. Patil , Mostafa Mostafa, Mohamed Kamel, Michael T. Halpern , Chenghui Li
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Cancers
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Vol
Volume 15 Issue 7
Research Website
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/15/7/1939
Research Year
2023
Research_Pages
1939
Research Abstract

Background: We sought to evaluate rural–urban disparities in patient care experiences (PCEs) among localized prostate cancer (PCa) survivors at intermediate-to-high risk of disease progression.

Methods: Using 2007–2015 Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) data linked to Medicare Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) surveys, we analyzed survivors’ first survey ≥6 months post-diagnosis. Covariate adjusted linear regressions were used to estimate associations of treatment status (definitive treatment vs. none) and residence (large metro vs. metro vs. rural) with PCE composite and rating measures.

Results: Among 3779 PCa survivors, 1798 (53.2%) and 370 (10.9%) resided in large metro and rural areas, respectively; more rural (vs. large metro) residents were untreated (21.9% vs. 16.7%; p = 0.017). Untreated (vs. treated) PCa survivors reported lower scores for doctor communication (ß = −2.0; p = 0.022), specialist rating (ß = −2.5; p = 0.008), and overall care rating (ß = −2.4; p = 0.006). While treated rural survivors gave higher (ß = 3.6; p = 0.022) scores for obtaining needed care, untreated rural survivors gave lower scores for obtaining needed care (ß = −7.0; p = 0.017) and a lower health plan rating (ß = −7.9; p = 0.003) compared to their respective counterparts in large metro areas.

Conclusions: Rural PCa survivors are less likely to receive treatment. Rural–urban differences in PCEs varied by treatment status.