Radiation oncology outpatient perceptions of patient-centred care: a cross-sectional survey

Objectives: We aimed to describe the proportion and characteristics of cancer patients who perceived that better care would have greatly improved their wellbeing in (1) specific and (2) multiple domains of patient-centred care. Design: Cross-sectional touchscreen computer survey. Setting: Four Australian radiation therapy departments located within major urban public hospitals. Participants: Radiation therapy outpatients were invited to participate in a touchscreen computer survey. Eligible patients were at least 18 years old, diagnosed with cancer and had sufficient English to complete the survey. Primary outcome measure: Participants were asked whether their well-being could have been greatly improved if better care had been provided across eight domains of patient-centred care. Characteristics of those respondents who identified (1) specific and (2) multiple domains where it was perceived that better care would have greatly improved their well-being were examined. Results: Of 508 eligible radiation therapy patients, 344 (68%) completed the survey. Patients most frequently perceived that better care in the following domains could have improved their well-being: information and communication about their cancer (22%; 95% CI 18% to 27%); emotional and spiritual support (22%; 95% CI 18% to 27%); management of physical symptoms (21%; 95% CI 17% to 26%) and involvement of friends and family (21%; 95% CI 17% to 26%). Just under one-third of respondents (31%; 95% CI 26% to 36%) indicated that their well-being could have been improved by better care across two or more domains of care. Patients in younger age groups and migrants to Australia had higher odds of endorsing multiple domains where better care would have improved their well-being. Conclusions: Further investigation of patients' perceptions of how their perceived quality of care might be improved is warranted, particularly among patients in younger age groups and migrants to Australia.