Identifying Health Literacy and Health System Navigation Needs among Rural Cancer Patients: Findings from the Rural Oncology Literacy Enhancement Study (ROLES)

• DOI: 10.1007/s13187-013-0505-x
• Publication Date: 2013-06-28T20:52:30Z
• Authors: Ana P. Martinez-D...; Julie Halverson; Norma-Jean Simon; Jeanne Schaaf Str...; Amy Trentham-Dietz; Paul D. Smith; Rebecca Linskens; Xinyi Wang
• Keywords: Adult; Aged, 80 and over; Male; Rural Population; Quality Assurance, Health Care; Continuity of Patient Care; Middle Aged; Health Literacy; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Patient Satisfaction; Neoplasms; Patient-Centered Care; Humans; Patient Navigation; Female; Delivery of Health Care; Needs Assessment; Aged

Rural residence is associated with disparities in cancer-related outcomes. Guided by the Chronic Care Model (CCM), the Rural Oncology Literacy Enhancement Study (ROLES) assessed health literacy and patient navigation needs among rural cancer patients. A mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative) approach was used, including: in-depth interviews, health literacy assessments, and phone surveys with cancer patients (N = 53) from 5 oncology clinics in rural Wisconsin; focus groups and self-administered surveys with staff (N = 41) in these clinics. Within four dimensions of the CCM (community resources, self-management support, delivery system design, and decision support), this study uncovered multiple unmet navigation needs, health literacy limitations, and barriers to quality cancer care. System-level implementation of patient navigation and health literacy best practices could contribute to improved cancer care and patient outcomes among rural populations. Further research identifying effective interventions that reduce cancer disparities among rural cancer patients is necessary.