TABLE 5.
Factors That Influence Referrals for Cancer Treatment Abroad
| Variable | Frequency | % |
|---|---|---|
| Primary influence on your decision to refer a patient abroad for cancer care (n = 47) | ||
| Greater availability of care providers in receiving country | 1 | 2.1 |
| Greater availability of medicine in receiving country | 3 | 6.4 |
| Greater availability of technology (ie, radiotherapy) | 24 | 51.1 |
| Higher quality of care in receiving country | 7 | 14.9 |
| Lower cost of care in receiving country | 1 | 2.1 |
| More skilled/specialized workforce in receiving country | 11 | 23.4 |
| Missing | 5 | — |
| Primary influence on patients deciding to self-refer abroad for cancer care (n = 50) | ||
| Greater availability of care providers in receiving country | 1 | 2.0 |
| Greater availability of medicine in receiving country | 2 | 4.0 |
| Greater availability of technology (ie, radiotherapy) | 15 | 30.0 |
| Higher quality of care in receiving country | 10 | 20.0 |
| Lower cost of care in receiving country | 1 | 2.0 |
| Mistrust in local system | 11 | 22.0 |
| More skilled/specialized workforce in receiving country | 10 | 20.0 |
| Missing | 2 | — |
| Have you been influenced to refer a high-profile patient for treatment abroad (n = 51) | ||
| Yes | 15 | 29.4 |
| No | 36 | 70.6 |
| Missing | 1 | — |
| Do you receive any incentives to refer patients abroad? (n = 52) | ||
| Yes—by receiving hospital | 1 | 1.9 |
| No | 51 | 98.1 |
| Have you ever been pressured or bribed to refer a patient abroad? (n = 52) | ||
| Yes—by a patient | 5 | 9.6 |
| Yes—by a receiving hospital | 3 | 5.8 |
| No | 44 | 84.6 |