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Demographic factors associated with missed follow-up among solid tumor patients treated at a large multi-site academic institution

    Samantha L Freije

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    Authors contributed equally

    Search for more papers by this author

    ,
    Jordan A Holmes

    *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 317 944 2524;

    E-mail Address: jorholme@iu.edu

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    Authors contributed equally

    Search for more papers by this author

    ,
    Saleh Rachidi

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    Department of Dermatology, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA

    ,
    Susannah G Ellsworth

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    ,
    Richard C Zellars

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    &
    Tim Lautenschlaeger

    Department of Radiation Oncology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2020-0425

    Aim: To identify demographic predictors of patients who miss oncology follow-up, considering that missed follow-up has not been well studies in cancer patients. Methods: Patients with solid tumors diagnosed from 2007 to 2016 were analyzed (n = 16,080). Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to examine predictors of missed follow-up. Results: Our study revealed that 21.2% of patients missed ≥1 follow-up appointment. African–American race (odds ratio [OR] 1.33; 95% CI: 1.17–1.51), Medicaid insurance (OR 1.59; 1.36–1.87), no insurance (OR 1.66; 1.32–2.10) and rural residence (OR 1.78; 1.49–2.13) were associated with missed follow-up. Conclusion: Many cancer patients miss follow-up, and inadequate follow-up may influence cancer outcomes. Further research is needed on how to address disparities in follow-up care in high-risk patients.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest

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