"It's horrendous--but really, what can you do?" Preliminary findings on financial impact of relocation for specialist treatment.
There has been little analysis of the process of relocation for specialist treatment for patients with haematological malignancies. Existing work does not cover the financial impact on families of such an experience. This paper describes seminal work in this area by presenting findings from research based on interviews with patients and families affected by relocation. The two-fold intent informing this discussion is to provide data to initiate research in the area, whilst fostering a consideration of epistemological issues at the interface of qualitative and quantitative research. The results show that there are very significant financial problems. In planning psychosocial support for such families, serious consideration must be given to both their short and long-term economic plight.
McGrath
P
P
Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D006798:Housing / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000191:economics*; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011793:Queensland; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics*; D012424:Rural Population; D012944:Social Support; D014837:Voluntary Health Agencies