Hoe lang zijn patiënten bereid te reizen voor medisch-oncologische zorg?

Background

The number of people with cancer will increase in the Netherlands. Further concentration and network care is pursued. The aim of this study was to explore how long medical oncology patients are willing to travel for their cancer care.

Method

A flashmob study into patients' willingness to travel for cancer care was conducted in 65 Dutch hospitals. Patients completed a questionnaire about willingness to travel and any experienced issues with traveling.

Results

A total of 4337 medical oncology patients completed the questionnaire. Of the patients, 20% were willing to travel more than 1 hour (one-way) for their current treatment, and more willing to travel for treatment in a hospital more experienced in their specific type of cancer (44% more than 1 hour). Willingness to travel longer was higher among patientsagedv40 years or younger, those with higher education, with better physical functioning and with a rare cancer. Willingness to travel longer was lowest among patients aged 75 or older. Approximately 30% of all patients experienced issues with traveling, especially those with comorbidities or with decreased physical functioning.

Conclusion

In this flashmob study, 15% of patients were willing to travel up to 30 minutes (one-way) and 44% more than 1 hour for treatment and follow-up in a hospital more experienced in their specific type of cancer. Patients aged 75 years or older were less willing to travel longer. Thirty percent of patients experienced issues with travelling. It is important to take this into account in the future organization of cancer care.

Conflict of interest and financial support: ICMJE forms provided by the authors are available online along with the full text of this article.