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Updated: Jul 8, 2025

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Cancer care for people with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) - patient perspectives
Dorothy Leahy1, Kelly E Irwin2, Gerd Murphy3
1Doctoral Programme in Clinical Psychology, School of Psychology, University College Dublin, Belfield, Ireland.
Objectives:
People with significant mental health difficulties (SMHD) experience inequities in cancer care. This study aims to deepen understanding of cancer care for individuals with SMHD.
Method:
We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven individuals with SMHD regarding their experiences accessing and engaging with cancer care from August 2021 to February 2022. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis where both inductive and deductive coding was adopted through the lens of the socio-ecological model (SEM) as a theoretical framework.
Results:
The main themes included intrapersonal, interpersonal and organizational barriers and facilitators to care with a specific focus on modifiable factors related to cancer care delivery.
Conclusion:
This study provides further evidence for promoting collaborative mental health and cancer care delivery to prevent inequalities in cancer care for patients with SMHD.
Practice Implications:
Adopting an interdisciplinary, team-based approach to cancer care and help with patient navigation across services are potential factors in improving cancer care for individuals with SMHD.
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