Assessment of Patient Satisfaction Among Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy

Abstract

The patient-provider relationship is a key driver of patient satisfaction as it relates to overall healthcare experience. We surveyed patients undergoing radiation therapy to determine what they consider to be the most valued qualities in their interactions with the healthcare team. An ethics-approved 35-item patient satisfaction survey was developed in-house to gain insights on patients’ perception of their relationship with the healthcare team throughout their cancer journey. There were 199 completed survey, median age 68 years, 54% women and 45% men. Almost all (95%) “agreed” or “strongly agreed” that their physicians had been sensitive and compassionate. Over 90% felt that they received adequate explanations about their treatment, and had their questions answered. The vast majority (93%) felt included in the decision-making process. Patients reported the 5 most highly rated qualities among their healthcare providers (HCPs) as knowledge, kindness, honesty, good communication, and a cheerful attitude. Overall satisfaction was high but areas for improvement were identified including being offered future appointments for further discussion, more information about clinical trials, other treatments, and community resources. Patients noted their HCPs tended to focus on the physical and emotional needs of patients, but spiritual and cultural needs were rarely addressed. Patients receiving radiotherapy reported high rates of satisfaction across many aspects of their care. These findings also reinforce the different aspects of holistic care that can be improved, and serve as a reminder to clinicians that patients perceive their role as more than just that of a medical expert.

Oncology Nurses' Communication Challenges During Caring for Cancer Patients: A Qualitative Content Analysis Study

“…According to the participants' experiences, the category of behavioral abnormalities in the relationship between patients and nurses consisted of the subcategories of patients' unjustified expectations and increased expectations. In agreement with these observations, Samant et al revealed that patients hospitalized in oncology wards due to their special mental conditions are more sensitive to non-verbal communications with nurses and have higher expectations than other patients (16). In this regard, the participating nurses emphasized the abnormalities in the relationship due to the patient's factors and characteristics, including the close relationship between the patient and the nurse, and expressed it in various ways.…”

Impact of implementing a nurse caring behavior protocol on postoperative cardiac patient satisfaction

“…They revealed that advanced evidence-based practice nursing improved patient satisfaction. Furthermore, Samant et al(2021) and Lichen et al (2021), who assessed the relationship between nursing care and patient satisfaction, showed a strong relationship between the nursing care delivered and patient satisfaction. Additionally, Karaca and Durna (2019) concluded that patients were more satisfied with nurses' attention and care.…”

“…Part II: Patient satisfaction with NCBs evaluation scale This part was developed by the researchers after reviewing the related literature (Akgün et al, 2020;Lucadamo et al, 2021;Molalign Takele et al, 2021;Samant et al, 2021). This part was used to evaluate the participated patient satisfaction with the nursing interventions based on NCBs protocol.…”

Smile InTM Totems in Radiotherapy: Patients’ Satisfaction with Limited Equipment and COVID-19

“…Patients’ satisfaction assessment is recognized as an important tool for evaluating the needs of patients and identifying the areas for improvement in a healthcare organization [ 14 ]. This perception may vary according to socioeconomic aspects, healthcare system resources and related patient expectations [ 17 ]and can be carried out using different tools even in low-income countries with limited technological models such as the EORTC (EORTC IN-PATSAT32) care questionnaire to measure patients appraisal, care organization and services [ 12 ]. Moreover, cancer patients’ concerns regarding the long waiting times for radiation treatment and LINAC disruptions could have negative impacts on quality of care and on patient perceptions of treatment effectiveness.…”

“…For these reasons, activating a customer satisfaction tool for patients in a radiation oncology department can allow for evaluating the quality of daily work performed and how to improve its processes [ 16 , 17 ].…”