Patient Related Outcome Measures (May 2021)
Top Priorities for Health Service Improvements Among Australian Oncology Patients
Abstract
Alix Hall,1– 3 Jamie Bryant,1– 3 Robert Sanson-Fisher,1– 3 Alice Grady,2– 4 Anthony Proietto,1– 3 Christopher M Doran5 1Health Behaviour Research Collaborative, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; 2Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; 3Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia; 4Hunter New England Local Health District, Population Health, Wallsend, NSW, Australia; 5Centre for Indigenous Health Equity Research, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, AustraliaCorrespondence: Jamie Bryant Email [email protected]: To determine among a sample of Australian cancer patients receiving outpatient oncology care: 1) the most frequently endorsed general health service improvements selected by patients; 2) for the three most endorsed general health service improvements, the proportion of participants endorsing specific health service changes; and 3) sociodemographic, disease and treatment characteristics associated with the most frequently endorsed general health service improvements.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted across six outpatient oncology treatment units located in New South Wales, Australia. Patients receiving chemotherapy for any cancer diagnosis at any of six oncology services were recruited. Participants completed an online survey which included the Consumer Preferences Survey. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify sociodemographic, disease and treatment characteristics associated with frequently endorsed health service improvements.Results: A total of 879 eligible patients initiated the survey (72% consent rate). Participants selected a median of two health service improvements. The three most wanted improvements were car parking (56%), up-to-date information about treatment or condition progress (19%), and hospital catering (17%). Age was the only characteristic significantly associated with identifying car parking as a needed improvement.Conclusion: Achieving high quality cancer care requires understanding of the views and experiences of patients about the quality of care they receive. Car parking and access to information were the two most frequently endorsed general health service changes desired by this sample of participants.Practice Implication: Future studies could examine whether enacting changes as per patient feedback improves patient perceptions of quality of care, and health outcomes.Keywords: patient-centered care, cancer, quality of healthcare, patient identified change
