Table 3 Summary of included articles
Study | Study design | Location | Health focus | Issues identified |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Courtwright et al. (2008) | Case report | United States | Lung cancer | • Security identified as a barrier to providing equitable healthcare • Healthcare team unable to notify family of patient status • Prisoner unable to engage in activities usually allowed to enhance comfort (television, going outside to smoke, speaking to hospital chaplain) • Cultural conflict between prison & health care system |
Lin and Mathew (2005) | Quantitative survey study | United States | Cancer; pain management | • Inadequate pain management • The majority of prisoners with cancer may be under-medicated • Training in cancer pain management as poor or fair by 74 % of Primary Care Practitioners (PCPs) • Common barriers identified by PCPs include concerns about drug misuse/diversion & concerns about patient credibility |
Lum (2003) | Commentary | New Zealand | Palliative care (cancer identified as most common diagnosis) | • Treatment often isolating; prisoners may choose to forego • Restricted availability of medical professionals • Prison regulations take precedence over care services (e.g. visitors) • Excessive caution regarding the prescription of medication |
Markman (2007) | Commentary | United States | Cancer | • High prevalence of drug abuse made pain management an issue • Unscheduled interruptions in treatment due to sudden transfer or release |
Mathew et al. (2005) | Case control study | United States | Cancer | • Pain management problematic due to high prevalence of drug misuse • Terminal illness didn’t guarantee parole |
O’Connor (2004) | Case report | United States | Lung cancer; mental health | • Late diagnosis due to prisoner’s complaints not being heard • Prison staff acted in the absence of informed consent from patient • Acting as both representative of the prison and the prisoner presented a dilemma for the service provider |
Pillet (2010) | Commentary | United States | Cancer | • Privacy vs. security (guard was always present) • Limited communication between family and practitioners • Family visitation limited • Due to security, practitioners restricted in range of usual activities, including establishing rapport |
Wujcik (2010) | Commentary | United States | Cancer | • Goal of oncology team may be in contrast to prison system • Delays in diagnosis & staging compromised outcomes |