Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction in Outpatient Radiation Oncology Department

Abstract

Purpose: Nowadays cancer patients want more detailed information and greater participation in decisions about their care. As a consequence, the demands on health care system to satisfy the complex care needs of oncology patients have increased tremendously.
Methods and Materials: As part of a quality improvement exercise at the Radiation Oncology department, Allan Blair Cancer Center, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, a survey was undertaken to ascertain the level of patient satisfaction with the information and care they were receiving from their care team during their first interaction with physicians till they finish radiation. In addition, the patients’ anxiety levels during radiation were investigated as well. Both questionnaires were given to patients on first day of their radiotherapy and after the completion of their radiotherapy.
Results: Total of 122 patients were enrolled in the study and 100 of them both questionnaires pre and post radiation therapy. Majority of  patients were satisfied with information they received regarding their illness (94%) and treatment toxicity (81%), but few less  satisfied with the information they received regarding lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, time off work, sexuality and smoking. The patients showed a statistically significant reduction in both their State and Trait Anxiety scores following radiotherapy (p<0.001). The results of the two-sample t-test were significantly lower in post radiation period (State trait r = 0.521, Anxiety trait r=0.701).
Conclusions: Research has established many barriers for proper communication. The initial meeting should be unhurried and there is a risk that contents may not be grasped so, there should be planned repetitions. Several repetitions and subsequent visits may be needed for a patient to hear what is said, respond to it, and retain this information in their mind.