Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study

Introduction and aimsOncology community centers (OCCs) may be beneficial for patients residing in regions requiring prolonged travel to large hospitals. A new model of OCC has been established in a peripheral region of Northern Israel, in affiliation with a large hospital. This center aims to increa...

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Main Authors: Inbal Mitnik, Ilit Turgeman, Svetlana Baziliansky, Hassan Shalabna, Leena Nassar-Sakas, Gil Bar-Sela
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-06-01
Series:Frontiers in Public Health
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1569994/full
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author Inbal Mitnik
Ilit Turgeman
Ilit Turgeman
Svetlana Baziliansky
Hassan Shalabna
Leena Nassar-Sakas
Gil Bar-Sela
Gil Bar-Sela
author_facet Inbal Mitnik
Ilit Turgeman
Ilit Turgeman
Svetlana Baziliansky
Hassan Shalabna
Leena Nassar-Sakas
Gil Bar-Sela
Gil Bar-Sela
author_sort Inbal Mitnik
collection DOAJ
description Introduction and aimsOncology community centers (OCCs) may be beneficial for patients residing in regions requiring prolonged travel to large hospitals. A new model of OCC has been established in a peripheral region of Northern Israel, in affiliation with a large hospital. This center aims to increase accessibility to medical care and to make it more patient centered. The current study aims to better understand the needs and perceptions of patients, caregivers, and health professionals regarding the OCC to integrate them into the newmodel OCC and adapt the medical services to the population’s needs.Materials and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants to explore their perceptions regarding the new OCC. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method.ResultsPatients and caregivers recognized the advantages of receiving treatment closer to home but were concerned about losing their sense of security. Nurses expressed the need to increase their confidence by communicating closely with the hospital’s staff and ensuring safety in case of urgent situations. Physicians emphasized the importance of hospital and community collaboration and the potential to enhance treatment adherence.ConclusionThe results indicate that the new OCC was perceived as a significant step in developing medical services, however the main concern was a decrease in the level of confidence due to its distance from the hospital. Strong collaboration between academic and community settings is essential to ensure continuity of care and a sense of security.
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spelling doaj-art-88cc3977deed4e759962aee669cdf3d82025-08-20T03:30:20ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15699941569994Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative studyInbal Mitnik0Ilit Turgeman1Ilit Turgeman2Svetlana Baziliansky3Hassan Shalabna4Leena Nassar-Sakas5Gil Bar-Sela6Gil Bar-Sela7Division of Oncology, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, IsraelThe Oncology Service, Lin Medical Center, Clalit Health Services, Haifa, IsraelThe Oncology Department, Carmel Medical Center, Haifa, IsraelSchool of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, IsraelCancer Center, Emek Medical Center, Afula, IsraelSchool of Social Work, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, University of Haifa, Haifa, IsraelCancer Center, Emek Medical Center, Afula, IsraelBruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, IsraelIntroduction and aimsOncology community centers (OCCs) may be beneficial for patients residing in regions requiring prolonged travel to large hospitals. A new model of OCC has been established in a peripheral region of Northern Israel, in affiliation with a large hospital. This center aims to increase accessibility to medical care and to make it more patient centered. The current study aims to better understand the needs and perceptions of patients, caregivers, and health professionals regarding the OCC to integrate them into the newmodel OCC and adapt the medical services to the population’s needs.Materials and methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 participants to explore their perceptions regarding the new OCC. The interviews were qualitatively analyzed using the interpretative phenomenological analysis method.ResultsPatients and caregivers recognized the advantages of receiving treatment closer to home but were concerned about losing their sense of security. Nurses expressed the need to increase their confidence by communicating closely with the hospital’s staff and ensuring safety in case of urgent situations. Physicians emphasized the importance of hospital and community collaboration and the potential to enhance treatment adherence.ConclusionThe results indicate that the new OCC was perceived as a significant step in developing medical services, however the main concern was a decrease in the level of confidence due to its distance from the hospital. Strong collaboration between academic and community settings is essential to ensure continuity of care and a sense of security.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1569994/fullcancer carecaregiverscommunity carepatientsoncology care
spellingShingle Inbal Mitnik
Ilit Turgeman
Ilit Turgeman
Svetlana Baziliansky
Hassan Shalabna
Leena Nassar-Sakas
Gil Bar-Sela
Gil Bar-Sela
Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
Frontiers in Public Health
cancer care
caregivers
community care
patients
oncology care
title Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
title_full Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
title_fullStr Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
title_short Perceptions and needs of patients, caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center: a qualitative study
title_sort perceptions and needs of patients caregivers and health professionals regarding an oncology community center a qualitative study
topic cancer care
caregivers
community care
patients
oncology care
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1569994/full
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