Opinions and strategies of Australian health professionals on tackling cancer-related financial toxicity: A nationwide survey
Corresponding Author
Louisa G. Gordon
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Nursing and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Australia
Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Correspondence
Louisa G. Gordon, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Herston, Brisbane Q4006, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDoreen Nabukalu
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorRaymond J. Chan
Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDavid E. Goldsbury
The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorKim Hobbs
Oncology Social Work Australia & New Zealand/Westmead Hospital NSW, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDeme J. Karikios
Department of Medical Oncology, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia
Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorGillian Mackay
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Muir
Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLillian Leigh
Rare Cancers Australia/TOGA, Bowral, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Thamm
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Nursing and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Lindsay
Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJordana McLoone
Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authoron behalf of the COSA Financial Toxicity Working Group
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Louisa G. Gordon
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Nursing and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Australia
Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Correspondence
Louisa G. Gordon, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Herston, Brisbane Q4006, Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorDoreen Nabukalu
QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Population Health Department, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorRaymond J. Chan
Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDavid E. Goldsbury
The Daffodil Centre, University of Sydney, a joint venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorKim Hobbs
Oncology Social Work Australia & New Zealand/Westmead Hospital NSW, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDeme J. Karikios
Department of Medical Oncology, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, New South Wales, Australia
Nepean Clinical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorGillian Mackay
Clinical Oncology Society of Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLaura Muir
Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorLillian Leigh
Rare Cancers Australia/TOGA, Bowral, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCarla Thamm
Queensland University of Technology (QUT), School of Nursing and Cancer and Palliative Care Outcomes Centre, Brisbane, Kelvin Grove, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Lindsay
Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Herston, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJordana McLoone
Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Discipline of Paediatrics & Child Health, UNSW Medicine & Health, Randwick Clinical Campus, University of NSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Search for more papers by this authoron behalf of the COSA Financial Toxicity Working Group
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information: The study received no funding and was supported by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, and University of New South Wales, Medicine & Health.
Abstract
Aim
To understand the opinions and current practices of health professionals on the topic of addressing cancer-related financial toxicity among patients.
Methods
A cross-sectional online survey was distributed through Australian clinical oncology professional organizations/networks. The multidisciplinary Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Financial Toxicity Working Group developed 25 questions relating to the frequency and comfort levels of patient–clinician discussions, opinions about their role, strategies used, and barriers to providing solutions for patients. Descriptive statistics were used and subgroup analyses were undertaken by occupational groups.
Results
Two hundred and seventy-seven health professionals completed the survey. The majority were female (n = 213, 77%), worked in public facilities (200, 72%), and treated patients with varied cancer types across all of Australia. Most participants agreed that it was appropriate in their clinical role to discuss financial concerns and 231 (88%) believed that these discussions were an important part of high-quality care. However, 73 (28%) stated that they did not have the appropriate information on support services or resources to facilitate such conversations, differing by occupation group; 7 (11%) social workers, 34 (44%) medical specialists, 18 (25%) nurses, and 14 (27%) of other occupations. Hindrances to discussing financial concerns were insufficient resources or support systems to refer to, followed by lack of time in a typical consultation.
Conclusion
Health professionals in cancer care commonly address the financial concerns of their patients but attitudes differed across occupations about their role, and frustrations were raised about available solutions. Resources supporting financial-related discussions for all health professionals are urgently needed to advance action in this field.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
DJK received honoraria from Amgen and GSD (presentations). The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Open Research
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT
Data captured in this study will be made available in deidentified form to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the authors.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| ajco13786-sup-0001-Appendix.docx34 KB | Appendix S1. Survey questions Appendix S2. Services listed by respondents that provide financial support or advice to patients with cancer |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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