An Evaluation of the Puerto Rico Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Program (PRBCCEDP) for Enhanced Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Among Underserved Women

Authors:

Taina De La Torre (Presenter)
Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center

Mirza Rivera, Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Lizbeth Medina, Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Roxana Reteguis, Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center
Omayra Salgado, Puerto Rico Comprehensive Cancer Center

Public Health Statement: The PRBCCEDP provides breast and cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services to low-income, uninsured, and underinsured women. The PRBCCEDP implements policy and system evidence-based interventions for sustainable increase in the utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening. The use of satisfaction surveys and other feedback methods can provide tremendous insights on quality concerns and improvement opportunities.

Purpose: In order to better identify concerns and consequently improving the screening experience, we conducted a satisfaction assessment among Program participants.

Methods/Approach: A total of 356 participants were identified and 234 women were successfully contacted by phone. Of the 234 contacted participants, a total of 201 completed the satisfaction survey for a response rate of 56.5%. A descriptive analysis was done using SPSS version 17.

Results: Evaluation findings demonstrated that most of the participants were very satisfied with the Program in general and rated as excellent the services received. Although participants were very satisfied with the Patient Navigation services, 19% reported not receiving a recommendation of organizations that would help them pay for those medical procedures not covered by the Program and 6% reported that the Patient Navigator didn’t knew about other services available in their community. Most of the participants were very satisfied with medical and mammography facilities services; however about 17% of them complained about the waiting time in the medical offices which provided the medical services

Conclusions/Implications: Findings from this study provide insights on how the overall program can be improved, and thus, improving health outcomes for underserved women throughout the island.