Differential Equity in Engagement with vs. Delivery of Oncological Psychosocial Support Services

To address the significant cancer related physical and psychological impairments, psychosocial programs have been developed to support patients during their battle with cancer. Although psychosocial services are readily available, barriers such as location and ethnocultural issues often prevent cancer patients from engaging with such services. A program evaluation was conducted at a non-profit organization that offers psychosocial services to cancer survivors and their families. Results indicate program participants did not equitably represent the catchment area. However, once engaged, participants of varying ethnocultural backgrounds had services delivered to them equitably. These findings have importance because the divergence in engagement with vs. delivery of services alerts program evaluators to being mindful of initial program engagement problems. In order to make program engagement more equitable, the center may benefit from adding outreach to ethnic minority populations and providing services in geographic locations with greater ethnocultural diversity.