Exploring the qualitative experiences of rural and coastal people with lung cancer and their informal carers’ in accessing and engaging in their cancer care pathway

Objective: People with lung cancer  (PWLC) in rural areas experience unique  inequalities in care compared to their urban  counterparts. Lincolnshire has some of the  most deprived parts of the UK, particularly in  rural and coastal areas, where people face  significant barriers to accessing care. This  study aims to explore how patient and carer  characteristics and factors related to location  interact to influence engagement with the lung  cancer care pathway. Methods: Qualitative  interviews conducted between Jan–May 2024  with PWLC diagnosed within the last 6 months  (n=30), and their informal carers (n>15), who  reside in Lincolnshire, UK. Framework  analysis informed by the COM-B model of  behaviour change was used to thematically  analyse facilitators and barriers to patient  engagement. Results: Initial findings indicate  that PWLC were distressed by delays in early  investigations and treatment and struggled  with the communication of their diagnosis and  treatment options. Support from family,  friends, and the wider community was integral  in managing physical and psychological  challenges and empowering engagement.  Accessing specialist treatment required  travelling long distances and imposed  significant financial burden. Final analyses will  be presented. Conclusion and Clinical  Implications: By identifying and understanding  290 factors that may impact on patient  engagement, we can inform patient-orientated  care tailored to the needs of rural PWLC. Our  findings will support the development of an  intervention to improve PWLC’s engagement  in their care pathway in rural and coastal settings.