Psychosocial Experiences in a Rural Australian Cancer Service: Mixed method insights into patient and carer psychological distress and psychosocial service barriers

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: An increasing body of evidence indicates that people with cancer experience psychosocial concerns across the entirety of their cancer experience from pre-diagnosis to survivorship. These concerns have not just a deleterious effect on their medical journey, but impact more broadly across well-being and, importantly, the well-being of the people that love and care for them. Whilst most oncology research focuses on patients, the role and experiences of families and carers is increasingly recognised as a core component of health service delivery. Methods: This paper outlines an evaluation of the psychosocial experiences of 125 rural people accessing cancer services through three health services in rural NSW. Results: Despite an increasing and improved focus on rural heath equity, and the funding of high-quality rural cancer services over the past decade, the findings of this study suggest that cancer patient and carer populations in rural NSW experience concerning levels of psychological distress and barriers to accessing quality healthcare. Conclusions: The combination of high psychological need for patients and carers with insufficiency and inaccessibility of psychosocial support services have substantial implications for service provision and the psychological wellbeing of those they service. Under-detection of psychosocial need and a lack of support services poses a significant challenge for rural people with cancer and for those that care for them; this must be an urgent priority for quality improvement and equitable health care provision.