Ethnic Variation in Hospice Use Among Cancer Patients Final rept. (Apr 15 2003-Apr 14 2004)

摘要

The purpose of this study is to examine ethnic differences in the use of hospice in four ethnic groups: Non-Hispanic Whites, Hispanics, African Americans and Asian and Pacific Islanders. This study was conceptually based on the behavioral model of health services use and the theory of diffusion of innovations. Three hypotheses were tested in this study: (1) Non-Hispanic Whites will have higher rates of hospice use than African Americans, Hispanics and Asian and Pacific Islanders; (2) hospice use will differ by type of cancer for each ethnic group; and (3) differences in the use of hospice care by patient ethnicity will decrease over time. Data for this study come from the linked SEER-Medicare database. The sample comprised of older adults diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung or prostate cancer from 1991 and 1996 who died from 1991 to 1999 in one of eleven SEER areas.