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Satisfaction With Care: An Independent Outcome Measure in Surgical Oncology

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Abstract

Background

Outcomes for treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancer traditionally include procedure-related morbidity and mortality and long-term survival. Patient-reported outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL) and satisfaction measures, add to standard end points, but associations between these factors are not fully understood. This study examined how patient satisfaction related to surgical morbidity, treatment type, and QOL outcomes after inpatient treatment for upper gastrointestinal cancer.

Methods

Consecutive patients who had completed treatment in one unit were invited to participate in this study and complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QLQ-PATSAT32 and QLQ-C30 questionnaires within 2 months of discharge. Regression analyses examined relationships between satisfaction and surgical morbidity (major complications and type of treatment) and between satisfaction and QOL variables, adjusting for age and sex.

Results

During the study, 181 patients were treated, 162 were eligible, and 139 returned both questionnaires (response rate, 86%). Of the study sample, the treatment outcome was potential cure in 105 (67 esophagectomy and 38 D2 gastrectomy), and 34 received palliative treatment. Thirty-seven patients (27%) had major complications. Patients who received palliative treatment reported satisfaction and QOL scores similar to those of patients who received curative treatment. However, patients who experienced major morbidity reported significantly worse QOL than those without morbidity (P < .01). Satisfaction scores were the same in patients with or without complications. There were no associations between satisfaction and QOL scores (r < .34).

Conclusions

Patient satisfaction with hospital care is independent of morbidity, treatment type, and QOL outcomes. It may be used to feed back information to providers of health care to improve patients’ experiences of treatment.

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Acknowledgments

J.M.B. is supported by an MRC Clinician Scientist Award. K.N.L.A. is supported by a project grant from Cancer Research UK.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2PR, United Kingdom

    Kerry N. L. Avery PhD, Chris Metcalfe PhD, Jenny L. Donovan PhD & Jane M. Blazeby MD, FRCS

  2. Division of Surgery, Head and Neck, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom

    Joanna Nicklin BSc, RGN & C. Paul Barham MD, FRCS

  3. Clinical Sciences at South Bristol, University of Bristol, Level 7, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, BS2 8HW, United Kingdom

    Derek Alderson MD, FRCS & Jane M. Blazeby MD, FRCS

Authors
  1. Kerry N. L. Avery PhD
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  2. Chris Metcalfe PhD
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  3. Joanna Nicklin BSc, RGN
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  4. C. Paul Barham MD, FRCS
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  5. Derek Alderson MD, FRCS
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  6. Jenny L. Donovan PhD
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  7. Jane M. Blazeby MD, FRCS
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Correspondence to Jane M. Blazeby MD, FRCS.

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Avery, K.N.L., Metcalfe, C., Nicklin, J. et al. Satisfaction With Care: An Independent Outcome Measure in Surgical Oncology. Ann Surg Oncol 13, 817–822 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.08.019

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1245/ASO.2006.08.019

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