Survivorship Care Plans: Rural, Low-Income Breast Cancer Survivor Perspectives
Description
Background: Despite increasing implementation of survivorship care plans (SCPs), cancer survivors still experience unmet needs post-treatment. Rural, low-income survivors experience less planning for supportive care during treatment, which is difficult to overcome after patients complete treatment.
Objectives: This pilot study explores post- treatment survivorship care planning execution, perception, and needs among rural, low-income cancer survivors.
Methods: A longitudinal, descriptive, qualitative design with semistructured interviews was used.
Findings: Rural survivors’ responses reflected lack of knowledge about post-treatment care, including how to assess for cancer recurrence. Delivery of the SCP during the final treatment appointment was inadequate for knowledge retention. Individualized assessment of survivorship needs and education post-treatment may improve long-term health outcomes for this population.