Factors associated with healthcare utilisation during first year after cancer diagnose—a population‐based study

BACKGROUND: Improved cancer treatments and models of care (such as early palliative care) has developed during recent years. Aspects of healthcare utilisation—unplanned care have been used for evaluation of coordination and quality. The aim was to explore factors associated with cancer healthcare utilisation, during the first year after a cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Population‐based registry and patient‐reported data, (The European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), QLQ‐ C30 questionnaire and study‐specific questions) were collected. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models were performed. RESULTS: The sample consists of 1718 patients (haematological, gynaecological, upper gastrointestinal and head and neck cancers). Living alone were associated with unplanned hospital admissions (OR 1.35; 95% CI [1.15, 1.59], p < 0.001). Patients with specialised palliative home care had a higher likelihood of unplanned hospital admissions, (OR 4.35; 95% CI [3.22‐5.91], p < 0.001) and re‐admissions within 30 days, (OR, 5.8; 95% CI [4.12‐8.19], p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Sociodemographic and clinical factors, such as living alone and disease stage, is associated with healthcare utilisation. Patients with specialised palliative home care report lower levels of HRQoL and higher levels of unplanned care, and our findings stresses the importance of a holistic view when planning care.