Cancer disproportionately affects the elderly. Home health care for cancer patients has assumed interest because of trends toward earlier hospital discharge and the use of high tech home care. However, use may also be related to rehabilitation and supportive care for either cancer or other co-morbid conditions. There is little knowledge about the patterns of use of home health services by cancer patients. While no national data base provides ideal information, analysis of multiple data sets with overlapping coverage and complementary strengths will provide better information on use patterns and ultimately, on their interconnection with family caregiving, e.g., unmet need, and on costs of home health services. This presentation will be based on analysis of the National Home and Hospice Care Survey (NHHC) for 1996 and 1998. The NHHC was selected for its detailed agency information and patient information based on health records rather than self-report. The analysis of the NHHC survey permits examination of facility characteristics such as size, ownership, affiliation, location, and services provided. Characteristics for current and discharged patients include demographics, functional status, services received, payment sources and disposition. The presentation will also review other national data bases with respect to number of respondents with a diagnosis of cancer, information about health and functioning, coordiation of services, family caregiving and costs.
Learning Objectives: 1) Understand organizational and patient level influences on use and provision of home health care 2) Comprehend strengths and weaknesses of national data bases for research on special populations 3) Appreciate the necessity to incorporate a social science perspective in effective program planning or service delivery approaches
Keywords: Access to Health Care, Cancer
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.