Preliminary findings on financial impact of relocation for specialist treatment

Abstract

There has been little analysis of the process of relocation for specialist treatment for patients with haematologicalmalignancies. Existing work does not cover the financial impact on families of such an experience. This paperdescribes seminal work in this area by presenting findings from research based on interviews with patients and familiesaffected by relocation. The two-fold intent informing this discussion is to provide data to initiate research in the area,whilst fostering a consideration of epistemological issues at the interface of qualitative and quantitative research. Theresults show that there are very significant financial problems. In planning psychosocial support for such families,serious consideration must be given to both their short and long-term economic plight.