GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR EVALUATION OF THE ACCESSIBILITY OF CANCER PATIENTS TO RADIOTHERAPY SERVICES
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Abstract
This study examines the issue of geographical accessibility to radiotherapy services within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), focusing on patients diagnosed with breast and prostate cancer in the state of Rio de Janeiro. The main objective of the research was to develop a prototype of a georeferencing information system for radiotherapy services (Prototype-GeoRT) to evaluate the distances traveled in a straight line by patients from their homes to two high-complexity oncology reference units of the SUS. The research highlights the importance of geographical accessibility in patients' survival and quality of life, proposing the development of the Prototype-GeoRT as a fundamental tool to support public policies and promote equity in access to oncology services. Using a quantitative exploratory approach, the study analyses data from a cohort of patients who were initially diagnosed with breast and prostate cancer and treated between 2012 and 2022 in radiotherapy services at SUS units. The results highlight the need for policies considering the geographical redistribution of infrastructure resources and the relocation of the target population, providing strategic information on travel distances and population distribution. The importance of a more detailed analysis of correlations between other variables and the need for additional research to improve the model developed and proposed for the prototype is highlighted to support decision-makers in public health in Brazil.
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Copyright (c). Conjuncture Bulletin (BOCA)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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