From Measurement to Action: Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Outpatient Cancer Treatment — A Mixed-Methods Study

Equitable access to cancer care is a major priority in Canada, but many patients face challenges that have nothing to do with their cancer such as trouble finding stable housing, affording food, or getting reliable transportation. These factors, known as the social determinants of health (SDOH), can make it harder for people to start treatment on time, continue treatment as planned, and achieve the best possible outcomes. Yet these issues are not usually identified in the outpatient cancer care, when support could make the greatest difference. This 3-year research project aims to understand how SDOH affect both patients’ experiences and health system outcomes, and to develop and test a practical toolkit to collect and act on SDOH information in outpatient cancer care. The toolkit will be co-designed with cancer care providers, community health and social service partners, and people facing inequities with cancer.The project will use regular discussions with knowledge users to provide real-time feedback and refine the approach. The expected outcomes include better people-centred care, improved access to treatment, and tools to measure and sustain equity improvements in cancer care.