TY - JOUR
T1 - Cancer patients' perception of the quality of communication before and after the implementation of a communication strategy in a regional cancer center in India
AU - Nayak, Sukdev
AU - Pradhan, Jeeta Parija B.
AU - Reddy, Suresh
AU - Palmer, J. Lynn
AU - Zhang, Tao
AU - Bruera, Eduardo
PY - 2005
Y1 - 2005
N2 - Purpose: Physician communication is one of the areas that cancer patients have expressed their lowest level of satisfaction. Very few studies have used patient-based outcomes in the Developing world. Methods: We conducted a survey of 400 consecutive patients attending our outpatient clinic (Step I). Survey results were used to make changes in the physical layout of the setting to increase privacy and to educate staff regarding practical techniques on communication (Step II). A second group of 400 patients were interviewed immediately after the implementation of the new communication strategy (Step III). Results: Comparing Step I (n = 400) and Step III (n = 400) we observed a favorable response ("yes" v "no") with regard to overall satisfaction with communication in 52 patients (13%) versus 132 patients (33%; P = .0001), privacy in 21 patients (5%) versus 279 patients (70%; P = < .001), no interruptions in 170 patients (42%) versus 330 patients (82%; P = < .001), clear language in 57 patients (14%) versus 227 patients (57%; P = < .001), sufficient time in 88 patients (22%) versus 168 patients (42%; P = < .001), doubts cleared by the doctor in 105 patients (26%) versus 225 patients (56%; P = < .001). Patients older than 65 years and manual laborers were significantly more satisfied compared with younger patients and those patients with nonmanual occupations, during both Steps I and III. Conclusion: We conclude that cancer patients in Developing countries have many unmet needs regarding communication and that simple changes in the organization of clinics and oncologist education can result in major improvements in satisfaction with the quality of communication.
AB - Purpose: Physician communication is one of the areas that cancer patients have expressed their lowest level of satisfaction. Very few studies have used patient-based outcomes in the Developing world. Methods: We conducted a survey of 400 consecutive patients attending our outpatient clinic (Step I). Survey results were used to make changes in the physical layout of the setting to increase privacy and to educate staff regarding practical techniques on communication (Step II). A second group of 400 patients were interviewed immediately after the implementation of the new communication strategy (Step III). Results: Comparing Step I (n = 400) and Step III (n = 400) we observed a favorable response ("yes" v "no") with regard to overall satisfaction with communication in 52 patients (13%) versus 132 patients (33%; P = .0001), privacy in 21 patients (5%) versus 279 patients (70%; P = < .001), no interruptions in 170 patients (42%) versus 330 patients (82%; P = < .001), clear language in 57 patients (14%) versus 227 patients (57%; P = < .001), sufficient time in 88 patients (22%) versus 168 patients (42%; P = < .001), doubts cleared by the doctor in 105 patients (26%) versus 225 patients (56%; P = < .001). Patients older than 65 years and manual laborers were significantly more satisfied compared with younger patients and those patients with nonmanual occupations, during both Steps I and III. Conclusion: We conclude that cancer patients in Developing countries have many unmet needs regarding communication and that simple changes in the organization of clinics and oncologist education can result in major improvements in satisfaction with the quality of communication.
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U2 - 10.1200/JCO.2005.12.971
DO - 10.1200/JCO.2005.12.971
M3 - Review article
C2 - 16034053
AN - SCOPUS:23044477076
SN - 0732-183X
VL - 23
SP - 4771
EP - 4775
JO - Journal of Clinical Oncology
JF - Journal of Clinical Oncology
IS - 21
ER -