Assessment of Whether Patients’ Knowledge, Satisfaction, and Experience Regarding Their ¹⁸F-Fluoride PET/CT Examination Affects Image Quality

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate patients' previous knowledge, satisfaction, and experience regarding an 18 F-fluoride PET/CT examination and to explore whether any discomfort or pain during the examination was associated with reduced image quality. A further aim was to explore whether patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was associated with their satisfaction and experience regarding the examination. Methods: Between November 2011 and April 2013, 50 consecutive patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of prostate cancer who were scheduled for 18 F-fluoride PET/CT were asked to participate in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the patients' previous knowledge and experience regarding the examination. Image quality was assessed according to an arbitrary scale. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the prostate cancer-specific module (QLQ-PR25) were used to assess HRQoL. Results: Forty-six patients (96%) completed the questionnaire. Twenty-six percent did not at all know what a 18 F-fluoride PET/CT examination was. Most (52%-70%) were satisfied to a very high degree with the care provided by the nursing staff but were less satisfied with the information given before the examination. Image quality was similar between patients who were exhausted or claustrophobic during the examination and those who were not. No correlations between HRQoL and the patients' experience regarding 18 F-fluoride PET/CT were found. Conclusion: Most patients were satisfied with the care provided by the nursing staff, but there is still room for improvement, especially regarding the information provided before the examination. A long examination time may be strenuous for the patient, but there was no difference in image quality between patients who felt discomfort or pain during the examination and those who did not.

Randomized Controlled Trial Examining Effects of Web-Based Information on Patient Satisfaction and Image Quality in 18F-FDG PET/CT Examinations

“…This finding is similar to another study revealing that patients may experience anxiety during 18 F-FDG PET/CT, mainly because of fear of the results (6), and indicates the importance of having the nurses who execute the examination make sure patients understand how they will receive the results. Some patients experienced discomfort during the 18 F-FDG PET/CT examination, especially regarding the time spent in the scanner and the need to maintain a fixed body position, as is consistent with our previous findings (4,10). We therefore suggest that various ways be found to improve patient comfort when in the scanner.…”

“…Our previous studies on oncology patients undergoing 18 F-FDG (4) and 18 F-fluoride (10) PET/CT found that many patients did not know what a PET/CT examination was beforehand. Most were satisfied with the care provided, but there was room for improvement, especially with regard to information provided before the examination and communication during the examination (4,10). Improved information may improve patients' understanding of the procedure and in turn improve image quality and diagnosis.…”

Anxiety in Cancer Patients during18F-FDG PET/CT Low Dose: A Comparison of Anxiety Levels before and after Imaging Studies

“…It has been indicated by other studies in NM Departments [3, 11, 13, 15, 27, 29] that satisfaction is mainly influenced by the impression given by the service organization and by the good performance of professionals. Reyes-Pérez et al [13] showed that patients have a clear perception of health professionals and of the quality of service, whether they are treated with dignity and respect.…”

“…This recognition suggests that the uncertainty of scan results has great influence on the patients' experience of anxiety [23]. Alternatively, these levels could show the feeling of insecurity [23] or exhaustion and discomfort after an intensive period on a rigid body position, especially with the arms positioned over the head, in a restricted space [11, 25, 26]. It remains to be determined whether these anxiety levels increased after patients leave the uptake room or anxiety increases during image acquisition.…”

“…The provision of adequate information should take the patient's needs into account, thus contributing to the increase of compliance, the reduction of symptoms, such as anxiety and fear, and the increase of customer satisfaction [11, 12]. The feeling of dissatisfaction means that the patient does not verbalize his or her concerns and his or her vulnerability and feels less relaxed.…”