gms | German Medical Science

27th German Cancer Congress Berlin 2006

German Cancer Society (Frankfurt/M.)

22. - 26.03.2006, Berlin

Satisfaction of cancer patients during radiotherapy

Meeting Abstract

  • corresponding author presenting/speaker Celia Pirker - Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin, Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München, Deutschland
  • Petra Berg - Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin, Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München
  • Mariana Emrich - Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Klinikum Großhadern, LMU München
  • Hans Geinitz - Klinik und Poliklinik für Strahlentherapie und Radiologische Onkologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München
  • Gerhard Henrich - Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin, Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München
  • Susanne Sehlen - Klinik für Strahlentherapie, Klinikum Großhadern, LMU München
  • Peter Herschbach - Institut und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin, Psychotherapie und Medizinische Psychologie, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TU München

27. Deutscher Krebskongress. Berlin, 22.-26.03.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. DocPO573

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dkk2006/06dkk683.shtml

Published: March 20, 2006

© 2006 Pirker et al.
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Outline

Text

Background: In line with quality assurance of the health system, patient satisfaction concerning health care is getting more and more important.

Modern medicine cannot avoid taking customer orientation into account. Many patients want to participate in decisions concerning medical treatment as well as the choice of hospital. Radiotherapy is one of the most delicate issues. Approximately 30 percent of all tumor patients suffer from psycho-social distress. Clinical experiences indicate that patients being treated radiotherapeutically show an even higher percentage of distress (33% - 42%).

Methods: Within an extended study, patient satisfaction in radiotherapy was tested by 247 patients in two Munich University Clinics by using the FPZ (Fragebogen zur Patientenzufriedenheit – questionnaire for patient satisfaction) [1]. Individual weighting of the obtained aspects of hospital care is part of the questionnaire concept. This questionnaire includes a checklist of 42 suggestions for improvement. In addition, personal data and data concerning the patient´s history of illness is being surveyed.

Results: Patients report the highest satisfaction within the doctor related Items "professional competence" ("fachliches Können") and "interaction with patients" ("Umgang der Ärzte mit den Patienten"). The three most frequently mentioned suggestions for improvement are: "waiting period during physical examination" ("Wartezeiten bei den Untersuchungen"), "time the doctor spends with you" ("Zeit, die der Arzt für Sie hat") and "presentation of the results of an examination"("Mitteilung der Untersuchungsergebnisse").

The main determinants showing dissatisfaction / satisfaction are age and type of tumour. Most dissatisfaction can be seen among younger patients, followed by two types of tumors in the field of otorhinolaryngology and lymphomas.

The results of dissatisfaction / satisfaction among patients treated with radiotherapy will be discussed in the following as well as the possible improvement of the organisational structure in the radiooncology departments.

The project is funded by the Deutsche Krebshilfe eV.


References

1.
Henrich G, Herschbach P, Schäfer I. Fragen zur Patientenzufriedenheit (FPZ) – Die Entwicklung eines Fragebogens. Zeitschrift für Medizinische Psychologie. 2001;10:147-58.