Table 2.
Content of Patient-Reported Cancer Quality Themes
| Patient theme | Content |
|---|---|
| Information |
Defining: help patients and families find reputable websites; navigators to help patients participate in decision-making; knowledge of how to manage side effects; care team helping patient to understand diagnosis; written information on what to expect during treatment, side effects, and what to do at home; knowing who to ask when there are questions Barriers: patients overwhelmed by amount of, complexity of, and conflicts in information; patient education provided after major decisions have been made; lack of awareness of what was going to happen, procedures not explained; not understanding test results; contradictory information; not knowing where to call after hours |
| Communication |
Defining: high ratings of communication correspond to high ratings of quality care Barriers: inaccurate/contradictory information from interactions with providers; understandability of instructions or information given at diagnosis and during treatment decision-making |
| Coordination of care |
Defining: find a “one-stop shopping” approach to cancer care; enhanced role of primary care provider during treatment; all providers working as a team Barriers: lack of teamwork among a variety of healthcare providers; disorganization between providers; lack of single source of information on treatment history, tests, and billing; primary care does not understand cancer and specialist is only familiar with cancer |
| Timeliness of care |
Defining: patients getting a more rapid diagnosis and are more satisfied with care; timely care is in accordance with patient preferences, not just shorter time Barriers: problems with appointment systems or waiting times lead to missed appointments; takes too long to reach a provider when there is an urgent issue; delays during the diagnostic period increased distress; long wait times add to patient stress |
| Responsibility for care | Participatory decision-making associated with greater satisfaction; need to have clarity in who is responsible for which part of care; patients do not want to be left with the responsibility of making sure things are done correctly |
| Personalized care | Being cared for as a person rather than just as a patient; “whole person” approach to care; provider and staff knows you by name; high ratings of treatment by providers associated with willingness to recommend provider |
| Psychosocial support | Need for peer and professional psychosocial support for patients; need for emotional support from the healthcare provider; services need to be introduced earlier in the care plan; social support from family and friends |
| Lack of attention to care | Providers do not pay enough attention to the individual's care; patients have insufficient amount of time with the provider; lack of attention during inpatient stay and lack of respect have an impact on recovery |