What’s being done to improve access to cancer care in rural areas?
It’s a question that AONN+ Advisor Sharon Gentry, MSN, RN, HON-ONN-CC, AOCN, helped to answer during the panel discussion, “Overcoming Barriers to Accessing Cancer Care in Rural Communities,” at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s 15th Annual National Policy Forum on the Future of Health Care in May.
Moderated by fellow AONN+ member Elizabeth Franklin, PhD, MSW, Head of U.S. Public Affairs and Patient Advocacy, Oncology and Neurology at Sanofi, the panel focused on the ways policymakers, health systems, and cancer care providers are working to overcome the challenges impacting cancer patients in rural areas. Panelists joining Sharon and Elizabeth included:
- Luis Rojas, MD, Clinical Vice President of the Oncology Service Line at Avera Health and a practicing gynecologic oncologist
- Brian Edwards, MBA, Senior Vice President for Health Services Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama
- Carrie Cochran-McClain, MPA, Dr.PH, Chief Policy Officer at the National Rural Health Association
- Liz Jurinka, MA, Operating Director for Healthcare Policy at the Vistria Group
For her part, Sharon shared thoughts around shortages in the oncology workforce and the need to have people work to the top of their skill set/license—promoting oncology professional roles. She also touched upon some of the barriers that navigators in these areas must overcome, including geographic isolation, transportation hurdles, limited access to specialists and telehealth, financial constraints, lower literacy levels, and emotional distress, and cited examples of innovative solutions from programs across the country.
Additionally, Sharon emphasized the importance of trust in the patient/provider relationship, saying, “The level of patient-provider trust influences how much rural patients are willing to believe their providers, to follow providers’ health care recommendations, and to provide information that helps providers make appropriate health care decisions.”
