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Acquati C, Chen TA, Martinez Leal I, Connors SK, Haq AA, Rogova A, Ramirez S, Reitzel LR, McNeill LH. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Care and Health-Related Quality of Life of Non-Hispanic Black/African American, Hispanic/Latina and Non-Hispanic White Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in the U.S.: A Mixed-Methods Study Protocol. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph182413084. [PMID: 34948695 PMCID: PMC8702073 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182413084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has had critical consequences for cancer care delivery, including altered treatment protocols and delayed services that may affect patients’ quality of life and long-term survival. Breast cancer patients from minoritized racial and ethnic groups already experience worse outcomes, which may have been exacerbated by treatment delays and social determinants of health (SDoH). This protocol details a mixed-methods study aimed at comparing cancer care disruption among a diverse sample of women (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black/African American, and Hispanic/Latina) and assessing how proximal, intermediate, and distal SDoH differentially contribute to care continuity and health-related quality of life. An embedded mixed-methods design will be implemented. Eligible participants will complete an online survey, followed by a semi-structured interview (with a subset of participants) to further understand factors that influence continuity of care, treatment decision-making, and self-reported engagement. The study will identify potentially modifiable factors to inform future models of care delivery and improve care transitions. These data will provide the necessary evidence to inform whether a subsequent, multilevel intervention is warranted to improve quality of care delivery in the COVID-19 aftermath. Additionally, results can be used to identify ways to leverage existing social resources to help manage and support patients’ outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Acquati
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, 3511 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-713-743-4343
| | - Tzuan A. Chen
- HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (T.A.C.); (I.M.L.); (L.R.R.)
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Isabel Martinez Leal
- HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (T.A.C.); (I.M.L.); (L.R.R.)
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Shahnjayla K. Connors
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
- Department of Social Sciences, University of Houston-Downtown, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Arooba A. Haq
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Anastasia Rogova
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Stephanie Ramirez
- College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, University of Houston, 3507 Cullen Blvd, Houston, TX 77204, USA;
| | - Lorraine R. Reitzel
- HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (T.A.C.); (I.M.L.); (L.R.R.)
- Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (S.K.C.); (A.A.H.); (A.R.)
| | - Lorna H. McNeill
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
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Haq AA, Reitzel LR, Chen TA, Chang S, Escoto KH, Solari Williams KD, Roberson C, Koshy L, McNeill LH. "UHAND"-A National Cancer Institute Funded Partnership to Advance Cancer Health Equity through Scholar Training. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:5054. [PMID: 34064663 PMCID: PMC8151028 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Black and Hispanic adults are disproportionately affected by cancer incidence and mortality, and experience disparities in cancer relative to their White counterparts in the US. These groups, including women, are underrepresented among scientists in the fields of cancer, cancer disparities, and cancer care. The "UHAND" Program is a partnership between institutions (University of Houston and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center) aiming to build the capacity of underrepresented and racial/ethnic minority student "scholars" to conduct research on eliminating cancer inequities by reducing social and physical risk factors among at-risk groups. Here, we examine the outcomes of the UHAND Program's first scholar cohort (n = 1 postdoctoral fellow, n = 3 doctoral scholars, n = 6 undergraduate scholars). Data collection included baseline, mid-program, and exit surveys; program records; and monthly scholar achievement queries. From baseline to exit, scholars significantly increased their research self-efficacy (p = 0.0293). Scholars largely met goals for academic products, achieving a combined total of 65 peer-reviewed presentations and nine empirical publications. Eight scholars completed the 2-year program; one undergraduate scholar received her degree early and the postdoctoral fellow accepted a tenure-track position at another university following one year of training. Scholars highly rated UHAND's programming and their mentors' competencies in training scholars for research careers. Additionally, we discuss lessons learned that may inform future training programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arooba A. Haq
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (A.A.H.); (T.A.C.); (K.D.S.W.); (L.K.)
| | - Lorraine R. Reitzel
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (A.A.H.); (T.A.C.); (K.D.S.W.); (L.K.)
- HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Tzuan A. Chen
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (A.A.H.); (T.A.C.); (K.D.S.W.); (L.K.)
- HEALTH Research Institute, University of Houston, 4849 Calhoun Road, Houston, TX 77204, USA
| | - Shine Chang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1155 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Kamisha H. Escoto
- Department of Health Disparities Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.H.E.); (C.R.); (L.H.M.)
| | - Kayce D. Solari Williams
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (A.A.H.); (T.A.C.); (K.D.S.W.); (L.K.)
| | - Crystal Roberson
- Department of Health Disparities Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.H.E.); (C.R.); (L.H.M.)
| | - Litty Koshy
- Department of Psychological, Health, and Learning Sciences, University of Houston, 491 Farish Hall, Houston, TX 77204, USA; (A.A.H.); (T.A.C.); (K.D.S.W.); (L.K.)
| | - Lorna H. McNeill
- Department of Health Disparities Research, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler St., Houston, TX 77030, USA; (K.H.E.); (C.R.); (L.H.M.)
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