The Variation in Access to Oncological Treatments in the Polish Provinces

Abstract

Malignant neoplasms are the second leading cause of death in the world. The number of cancer cases in the last decade has increased significantly. In Poland there are difficulties in access to the oncological treatment. The first difficulty is too long time for a visit for medical specialist. Another is the ineffective diagnostic, which causes the cancer is detected at an advanced stage. Moreover, in Poland, we have the distribution of medical centers primarily in large cities only and long travel time to the point outpatient cancer services. Another difficulty in accessibility is the poor organization of the health care system, based on limited number of services provided. The aim of the study is to identify differences in access to cancer services (including radiotherapy) in Polish provinces using the DEA method. The results show wide variation in access to personal and tangible resources associated with oncological health. In the Opole province is almost 5 times less doctors than in the Mazowieckie but the oncology treatment costs are two times lower. Solution for improving the efficiency of cancer care is to give up costly fixed-line services in favor of increasing the share of services provided in the form of outpatient or daycare. DEA model shows that the most effective province in terms of access to cancer care are: Lu-buskie, Opole and Podlasie. These provinces have lowest unit costs per patient. Note, however, that early detection of cancer and effective therapy contribute to incur lower direct and indirect costs of sickness absence.