Navigating cancer care in Ukraine: patient's coping strategies to ensure access and quality

This study investigates how socio-economic and healthcare factors shape the coping strategies of patients diagnosed with cancer in Ukraine, including the decision to forego treatment. The focus is on how these variables influence patients' strategies to gain access to services, ensure better treatment quality, and decrease treatment costs.

Data were collected in 2021 through structured interviews in three oncological dispensaries and an online questionnaire among patients diagnosed with cancer in Ukraine (632 patients in total). Sequential logistic regression analyses were applied to identify patterns in selecting specific coping strategies.

The results show that socio-economic characteristics, the perception of service quality, financial resources, and the availability of support influence the choice of coping strategies. Older patients and women are more likely to use informal payments than connections. Patients, who perceive service quality as (very) bad and those finding it hard to afford treatment, are more likely to deploy coping strategies. Higher education and urban residency also impact the coping strategy applied.

The study highlights significant disparities in the choice of coping strategy regarding cancer treatment in Ukraine. Coping strategies, including informal payments and connections, are crucial for accessing and ensuring better treatment. These findings underscore the need for evidence-informed policies to support the most vulnerable cancer care patients in Ukraine.