Barriers to geriatric oncology care: Exploring present challenges

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Oncology
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• The aging US population presents significant clinical, financial, and ethical challenges to healthcare systems.
• Cancer incidence increases with age, necessitating specialized geriatric oncology care.
• Existing care models face barriers including physiological decline, biases, communication issues, social determinants, and financial toxicity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the key domains that create barriers to equitable geriatric oncology care.
• To highlight the clinical implications of these barriers in accessing standard cancer treatment.
• To propose an organizational framework for mitigating these challenges.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and analysis of existing challenges in geriatric oncology.
• Examination of five specific domains: physiologic decline, cultural biases, communication, social determinants, and financial toxicity.
• Discussion of potential organizational frameworks to address identified barriers.

Main Results:

• Physiologic decline, cultural biases, communication challenges, social determinants, and financial toxicity significantly restrict access to oncologic care for older adults.
• These barriers impact the delivery and effectiveness of cancer treatment in the geriatric population.
• An organizational framework emphasizing cultural competence, communication, diversity, and social responsibility is proposed.

Conclusions:

• Recognizing and addressing multifactorial barriers is essential for equitable geriatric cancer care.
• Developing patient-centered systems is vital to meet the needs of the growing elderly population.
• Implementing strategies focused on cultural competence and communication can improve access and outcomes in geriatric oncology.