ASPO Abstracts

Reaching Rural Patients Facing Financial Burden of Cancer: Implications for Health Professionals

Authors: Kratzke C

Category: Financial Hardship Associated with Cancer
Conference Year: 2020

Abstract Body:
Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the website readability levels of nonprofit organizations in southern New Mexico and resources to address financial consequences affecting the health and well-being of cancer patients. Although the burden of the costs for cancer care may negatively affect the well-being of many patients with cancer, research shows rural residence has been independently associated with worse financial stress for radiotherapy. Little is known about the online resources for rural residents provided by nonprofit organizations to mitigate financial toxicity. Many adults seek online health information since the American Cancer Society resource centers are not located in southwestern New Mexico. Methods: Online health information was selected from the only three non-profit cancer organizations in Deming, Luna, Sierra, and Dona Ana County. Readability levels were evaluated with Microsoft’s Flesh Kincaid scale by two trained raters and consensus was reached. Other areas for evaluation included types of services, educational awareness, transportation, and funding. Results: The home page Flesch-Kincaid reading levels ranged between 9.9, 10.1, and 12.1. Two organizations provided primarily as a resource no cost transportation to patients. One organization provided gas cards and other important financial needs addressing utilities, groceries, or rent and mortgage payment. Two organizations provide awareness and prevention education and one organization provides support groups. Conclusions: Results show online health information is written above the reading level of most people with low literacy. Future research is needed to evaluate appropriate online patient financial toxicity information and resources needed to reach rural populations by health professionals and nonprofit organizations.

Keywords: financial toxicity cancer patients