Coping strategies of cancer patients in Ukraine

O. Levenets*, T. Stepurko, A. Polese, M. Pavlova, W. Groot

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

This case study explores the coping strategies of oncology patients and their family members in Ukraine. These coping strategies are seen as an individual-level response to the organizational and financial failures of the Ukrainian health care system. Based on semistructured interviews with medical doctors, patients, representatives of charitable foundations, and policy makers, we identify a variety of coping strategies, including personal connections and informal payments. Unequal access to diagnostic and treatment services is observed: coping strategies are developed by patients and their families taking into account the available financial and social capital. Importantly, we could not identify a typical path for cancer patients as cancer patients act in an environment of great uncertainty-in terms of their prognosis and in terms of the cost of treatment. With a weak state and financial uncertainty, patients and physicians perceive coping strategies rather positively as it may contribute to the chance of life.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1423-1438
Number of pages16
JournalInternational Journal of Health Planning and Management
Volume34
Issue number4
Early online date2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

JEL classifications

  • i15 - Health and Economic Development

Keywords

  • Ukraine
  • adult
  • article
  • cancer patient
  • connections
  • controlled study
  • coping behavior
  • coping strategies
  • human
  • informal practices
  • out-of-pocket payments
  • physician
  • prognosis
  • semi structured interview
  • social capital
  • uncertainty
  • INCOME
  • COST-EFFECTIVENESS
  • EASTERN-EUROPE
  • BEHAVIOR
  • INFORMATION-SEEKING
  • CHILDHOOD
  • TRANSITION
  • PRIMARY-CARE
  • SYSTEMS
  • HEALTH-CARE

Cite this