Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of an oncology outpatient orientation program: patient satisfaction and outcomes

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Supportive Care in Cancer Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A person’s first visit to an outpatient cancer center is typically marked by considerable stress and negative emotion. Thus, innovative support interventions that aim to ameliorate such stress and emotion are warranted. This study evaluated one such intervention—a new-patient orientation program in a cancer center. The program is designed to: (1) provide patients with information about the center’s facilities and procedures, (2) give them an opportunity to ask questions and discuss personal concerns, (3) provide them with detailed information concerning support services available in both the community and the cancer center, and (4) provide them with access to a support care practitioner for follow-up contact. Following the orientation program, 213 participants completed a mailed questionnaire designed to measure their level of satisfaction with various aspects of the orientation program and the effect of the program on their emotional state. The results showed that participants were extremely satisfied with the program, it helped them deal more effectively with their first visit to the center, and it increased their feelings of relaxation and comfort and reduced their feelings of fear and anxiety. These results support the use of informational and support interventions as an effective means of improving cancer care.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Burish T G, Snyder SI, Jenkins RA (1991) Preparing patients for cancer chemotherapy: Effect of coping preparation and relaxation interventions. Consult Clin Psychol 59:518–525

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Celia DF, Yellen S (1993) Cancer support groups: The state of the art. Cancer Pract 1(1):56–61

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Fawzy FI (1999) Psychosocial interventions for patients with cancer: What works and what doesn’t. Eur J Cancer 35(11):1559–1564

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Fawzy FI, Fawzy NW, Arndt LA, Pasnau RO (1995) Critical review of psychosocial interventions in cancer care. Arch Gen Psychiatry 52:100–113

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Feldman JS (1993) An alternative approach: Using multi-disciplinary expertise to support patients with prostate cancer and their families. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology 11(2):85–93

    Google Scholar 

  6. Greer S (1992) The management of denial in cancer patients. Oncology 6(12):33–40

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Hughes MM (1984) Preparation of ED patient for hospital admission. J Emerg Nurs 10(3):160–161

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Kreitler S (1999) Denial in cancer patients. Cancer Invest 17(7):514–534

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McClement SE, Hack TF (1999) Audio-taping the oncology consultation: A literature review. Patient Educ Couns 36:229–238

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. McQuellon RP, Wells M, Hoffman S, Craven B, Russel G, Cruz J, Hurt G, DeChatelet P, Andrykowski MA, Savage P (1998) Reducing distress in cancer patients with an orientation program. Psychooncology 7:207–217

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Nash CH, Wise M, Puckett MT (1998) New cancer patient referral and intake: A study in patient satisfaction. Cancer Management 3(1):1–4

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nguyen TD, Attkisson CC. Stegner BL (1983) Assessment of patient satisfaction: Development and refinement of a service evaluation questionnaire. Evaluation and Program Planning, 6:299–314

  13. Rainey LC (1985) Effects of a preparatory patient education for radiation oncology patients. Cancer 56:1056–1061

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Royse D, Thyer BA, Padgett DK, Logan TK (2001) Program evaluation: an introduction, 3rd edn, Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Belmont

    Google Scholar 

  15. Scharfsterin B, Libbey M (1982) Family orientation: Initiating patients and their families to psychiatric hospitalization. Hosp Community Psychiatry 33:560–563

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Scheier MF, Carver CS (2001) Adapting to cancer: The importance of hope and purpose. In Baum A, Andersen BL, eds, Psychosocial interventions for cancer American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, pp 15–36

    Google Scholar 

  17. Stefanek ME, Derogatis LP, Shaw A (1987) Psychological distress among oncology outpatients: Prevalence and severity as measured with the Brief Symptom Inventory. Psychosomatics 28(10):530–539

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Stiefel F, Razavi D (1994) Common psychiatric disorders in cancer patients. Supportive Care in Cancer Patients 4:233–237

    Google Scholar 

  19. Sutcliffe SA, Ridder ME (1984) Individualized preadmission teaching program of the neuro/surgical critical care unit. Crit Care Nurse 4(3):86, 88–89.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Temoshuk L, DiClemente RJ, Sweet DM, Blois MS, Sagebiel RW (1984) Factors associated with patient delay in seeking medical attention for cutaneous malignant melanoma. Cancer 54:3048–3053

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Thomas SE, Glynne-Jones R, Chait I (1997) Is it worth the wait? A survey of patients’ satisfaction with an oncology outpatient clinic. Euro J Cancer Care 6:50–58

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Wells ME (1994) A psychooncology intervention for newly diagnosed cancer patients in a hospital outpatient clinic. Diss Abstr Int 54(09):3335A

    Google Scholar 

  23. Wells ME, McQuellon RP, Hinkle JS, Cruz JM (1995) Reducing anxiety in newly diagnosed cancer patients. Cancer Pract 3:100–104

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

We would like to express our appreciation to the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre for its cooperation and assistance and, in particular, to Maureen Reynolds, regional director of supportive care at the centre.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, N9B 3P4, Canada

    Melanie D. Gallant & Larry M. Coutts

Authors
  1. Melanie D. Gallant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Larry M. Coutts
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Larry M. Coutts.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gallant, M.D., Coutts, L.M. Evaluation of an oncology outpatient orientation program: patient satisfaction and outcomes. Support Care Cancer 11, 800–805 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0543-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-003-0543-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation