Lung Cancer Mortality Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Patient Experiences with Care: a SEER-CAHPS Study

Background To determine whether there are racial/ethnic disparities in patient experiences with care among lung cancer survivors, whether they are associated with mortality. Methods A retrospective cohort study of lung cancer survivors > 65 years old who completed a CAHPS survey > 6 months after the date of diagnosis. We used data from the SEER-Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers Systems (SEER-CAHPS®) database from 2000 to 2013 to assess racial/ethnic differences in patient experiences with care multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to assess the association between patient experience with care scores mortality in each racial/ethnic group. Results Within our cohort of 2603 lung cancer patients, Hispanic patients reported lower adjusted mean score with their ability to get needed care compared to white patients ( B : − 5.21, 95% CI: − 9.03, − 1.39). Asian patients reported lower adjusted mean scores with their ability to get care quickly (− 4.25 (− 8.19, − 0.31)), get needed care (− 7.06 (− 10.51, − 3.61)), get needed drugs (− 9.06 (− 13.04, − 5.08)). For Hispanic patients, a 1-unit score increase in their ability to get all needed care (HR: 1.02, 1.00–1.03) care coordination (1.06, 1.02–1.09) was associated with higher risk of mortality. Among black patients, a 1-unit score increase in their ability to get needed care (HR: 0.99, 95% CI 0.98–0.99) care coordination (0.97, 0.94–0.99) was associated with lower risk mortality. Conclusions There are racial/ethnic disparities in lung cancer patient experiences with care that may impact mortality. Patient experiences with care are important risk factors of mortality for certain racial/ethnic groups.