ECU researcher examines barriers faced by older Latinos in cancer treatment
Schwartz (contributed photo)
Abby J. Schwartz, assistant professor of social work at East Carolina University, recently completed a study in partnership with Lauren Ring and Allen Glicksman, researchers at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, to examine barriers faced by older Latinos being treated for cancer.
The project also sought suggestions on ways that social service providers can work with these older adults, their families and health care practitioners to reduce barriers and improve the overall health and well-being of older cancer patients.
The project consisted of four focus groups including older Latino cancer patients at the Mann Older Adult Center; nurses from Pennsylvania Hospital; social workers and care managers from the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging; and staff from Asociación Puertorriqueños en Marcha, a community development corporation serving the Latino community in North Philadelphia that provides neighborhood-based economic development and social services.
Themes that emerged from the research included difficulties with transportation to appointments, language barriers, and challenges by caregivers struggling to provide care while simultaneously juggling work, school and raising small children.
Schwartz previously studied African-American caregivers of cancer patients in rural North Carolina with a focus on the barriers experienced by both patients and caregivers in adhering to treatments.
The study can be found here.
-by Crystal Baity, ECU News Services