Patient Satisfaction with Oncological Care during the SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemic

Abstract

Recently, the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected the health situation of the entire society and necessitated reorganization of health care including oncology. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of medical services by cancer patients during the pandemic and to identify the key elements influencing the level of satisfaction with oncological care. Of note, 394 patients diagnosed with cancer treated in inpatient oncology wards participated in the study (Poland). The diagnostic survey method was used. A survey questionnaire developed by the authors was used and validated the EORTC IN-PATSAT32 questionnaire. The calculations were made in Statistica 10.0 (Statsoft; 2011, Dell Inc., Round Rock, TX, USA). The average general level of satisfaction with oncological care in the study group was 80.77 out of a total score of 100, representing the highest level of satisfaction. Levels of satisfaction varied according to time since diagnosis (longer time—greater satisfaction) and were lower where treatment was delayed or perceived as disorganised. Nearly half of the respondents felt the threat of the SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite the fact that most of them believed that the hospital was well prepared to diagnose and treat cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Convincing patients about the proper preparation of health care for diagnostics and therapy is an important element influencing patient satisfaction with oncological care.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Experiences of Hospitalized Patients: A Scoping Review

“… 43 Still, a study that sought the satisfaction of hospitalized patients showed the interpersonal skills of doctors and nurses as lower patient satisfaction ratings. 19 However, in a study, it was stated that the care experience was identical when compared with the service before the pandemic. 44 …”

“… 34 It was also observed in one study with 394 patients that 86.4% of the interviewees considered the institution as adequate for cancer diagnosis and treatment during the pandemic, although 27.92% considered that there were delays in the treatment process, interfering with patient satisfaction. 19 …”

Qualidade de Vida Relacionada à Saúde e Satisfação com o Tratamento Hospitalar de Adultos com Câncer: Estudo Observacional

“…Esses dados estão em consonância com a pesquisa brasileira, conduzida no INCA, no Rio de Janeiro-RJ, que também encontrou maior nível de satisfação com a equipe médica 3 . Entretanto, os dados diferem do estudo realizado em Sanok na Polônia 34 , que tiveram maiores médias nas escalas que avaliaram as habilidades técnicas, interpessoais, informacionais e disponibilidade da equipe de enfermagem.…”

The Quality of Medical Care in the Conditions of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with Particular Emphasis on the Access to Primary Healthcare and the Effectiveness of Treatment in Poland

“…On the other hand, researchers were dealing with this issue in the field of selected specialist services. This particularly included studies on access to medical care during pregnancy [25], bariatric care [26], cancer patients care [27], medical and nonmedical services for the elderly [28]. Researchers agree that the COVID-19 pandemic situation leads to a growing problem of limited or complete lack of access to treatment for specific groups of patients who are in need of special care [29][30][31].…”

“…Researchers agree that the COVID-19 pandemic situation leads to a growing problem of limited or complete lack of access to treatment for specific groups of patients who are in need of special care [29][30][31]. The perception of medical services during the COVID-19 pandemic was also studied in the context of cancer care [27]. However, no studies on patient satisfaction on the access to primary healthcare and treatment effectiveness in Poland could be found.…”