Abstract
Background
Assessing patient satisfaction might help to detect so far unknown patient needs and could contribute to quality assurance within the health care system. We evaluated patient satisfaction and its correlates in a consecutive sample of patients undergoing external beam radiation therapy.
Patients and methods
Patient satisfaction was evaluated within a prospective study with two validated instruments (FPZ, ZUF-8) during the first week of radiation therapy in two university-based radiation oncology departments.
Results
A total of 273 patients could be analyzed. Most patients were irradiated for breast or urogenital cancer. Overall patient satisfaction was high (94.9–98.8%). The most important items for patient satisfaction included the following: “skills of physicians” followed by “physician contact with patients,” “care,” and “information” (Tab. 2). Neither center nor disease entity correlated with global patient satisfaction. Of the patients, 46% reported that they would have preferred additional information prior to the onset of radiotherapy. Patients who sought additional information reported a lower global patient satisfaction (p < 0.001). In multiple linear regression analysis, the need for more information, male gender, and a higher level of education were significant predictors for lower global patient satisfaction (Tab. 6).
Conclusion
During the first week of radiation therapy, patients rate patient–physician interaction and communication on treatment and disease as important factors for their satisfaction. Supplying additional information to subsets of patients prior to starting radiotherapy might help to further improve satisfaction.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Die Evaluation der Patientenzufriedenheit kann dazu beitragen, bisher nicht bekannte Patientenbedürfnisse aufzudecken und einen Beitrag zur Qualitätssicherung im Gesundheitswesen zu liefern. Wir untersuchten die Patientenzufriedenheit und korrelierende Faktoren in einem perkutan bestrahlten, konsekutiven Patientenkollektiv.
Patienten und Methoden
Die Patientenzufriedenheit wurde innerhalb einer prospektiven Studie mit 2 unterschiedlichen validierten Instrumenten (FPZ, ZUF-8) in 2 Universitätskliniken während der ersten Strahlentherapiewoche untersucht.
Ergebnisse
273 Patienten konnten analysiert werden. Die meisten Patienten wurden wegen eines Mamma- oder eines Prostatakarzinoms behandelt. Insgesamt war die Patientenzufriedenheit hoch (94,9–98,8%). Die wichtigsten Faktoren für die Zufriedenheit waren: „fachliches Können der Ärzte“, „Umgang der Ärzte mit Patienten“, „Betreuung durch Pflegepersonal/Technische Assistenz“ und „Information“ (Tab. 2). Weder das behandelnde Zentrum noch die Grunderkrankung korrelierten mit der globalen Zufriedenheit. 46% der Patienten hätten sich zusätzliche Informationen vor Beginn der Behandlung gewünscht. Patienten mit Wunsch nach mehr Information gaben eine schlechtere Patientenzufriedenheit an (p < 0,001). In der multiplen Regressionsanalyse waren der Wunsch nach mehr Information, männliches Geschlecht und ein höherer Bildungsabschluss signifikante Prädiktoren für eine geringere Patientenzufriedenheit (Tab. 6).
Schlussfolgerung
In der ersten Woche der Strahlentherapie bewerteten Patienten die Interaktion und Kommunikation mit dem behandelnden Arzt als wichtige Faktoren für die Patientenzufriedenheit. Die Bereitstellung zusätzlicher Information für ausgewählte Patientenkollektive könnte die Patientenzufriedenheit weiter verbessern.
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Geinitz, H., Marten-Mittag, B., Schäfer, C. et al. Patient satisfaction during radiation therapy. Strahlenther Onkol 188, 492–498 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-011-0056-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00066-011-0056-1