Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members

Abstract Background The unique life situations of older patients with cancer and their family members requires that health care professionals take a holistic approach to achieve quality care. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of older patients with cancer and family members about t...

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Main Authors: Minna Launonen, Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen, Santtu Mikkonen, Tarja Kvist
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-02-01
Series:BMC Health Services Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10646-4
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author Minna Launonen
Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Santtu Mikkonen
Tarja Kvist
author_facet Minna Launonen
Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Santtu Mikkonen
Tarja Kvist
author_sort Minna Launonen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The unique life situations of older patients with cancer and their family members requires that health care professionals take a holistic approach to achieve quality care. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of older patients with cancer and family members about the quality of care received and evaluate differences between their perceptions. A further aim was to examine which factors explain patients’ and family members’ levels of satisfaction with the care received. Methods The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. Data were collected from patients (n = 81) and their family members (n = 65) on four wards in a cancer hospital, using the Revised Humane Caring Scale (RHCS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, crosstabulation, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and multivariable Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results Family members had more negative perceptions of the quality of care than patients did. Dissatisfaction was related to professional practice (p < 0.001), interaction between patient and health care professionals (p < 0.001), cognition of physical needs (p = 0.024), and human resources (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with overall care was significantly lower among those patients and family members who perceived that they had not been involved in setting clear goals for the patient's care with staff (p = 0.002). Conclusions It is important that older patients with cancer and family members receive friendly, respectful, individual care based on their needs and hopes, and that they can rely on professionals. Health care professionals need more resources and education about caring for older cancer patients to provide quality care.
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spelling doaj.art-fb485a7efb5c4daebfb2918674ed139b2024-03-05T18:05:00ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632024-02-012411910.1186/s12913-024-10646-4Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family membersMinna Launonen0Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen1Santtu Mikkonen2Tarja Kvist3Department of Nursing Science, University of Eastern FinlandDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Eastern FinlandFaculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern FinlandDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Eastern FinlandAbstract Background The unique life situations of older patients with cancer and their family members requires that health care professionals take a holistic approach to achieve quality care. The aim of this study was to assess the perceptions of older patients with cancer and family members about the quality of care received and evaluate differences between their perceptions. A further aim was to examine which factors explain patients’ and family members’ levels of satisfaction with the care received. Methods The study was descriptive and cross-sectional in design. Data were collected from patients (n = 81) and their family members (n = 65) on four wards in a cancer hospital, using the Revised Humane Caring Scale (RHCS). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, crosstabulation, Wilcoxon signed rank test, and multivariable Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). Results Family members had more negative perceptions of the quality of care than patients did. Dissatisfaction was related to professional practice (p < 0.001), interaction between patient and health care professionals (p < 0.001), cognition of physical needs (p = 0.024), and human resources (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with overall care was significantly lower among those patients and family members who perceived that they had not been involved in setting clear goals for the patient's care with staff (p = 0.002). Conclusions It is important that older patients with cancer and family members receive friendly, respectful, individual care based on their needs and hopes, and that they can rely on professionals. Health care professionals need more resources and education about caring for older cancer patients to provide quality care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10646-4Older patients with cancerFamily memberQuality careSatisfactionAcute care
spellingShingle Minna Launonen
Katri Vehviläinen-Julkunen
Santtu Mikkonen
Tarja Kvist
Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
BMC Health Services Research
Older patients with cancer
Family member
Quality care
Satisfaction
Acute care
title Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
title_full Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
title_fullStr Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
title_full_unstemmed Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
title_short Care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital – a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
title_sort care quality and satisfaction at the cancer hospital a questionnaire study of older patients with cancer and their family members
topic Older patients with cancer
Family member
Quality care
Satisfaction
Acute care
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-10646-4
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