Patient satisfaction with colorectal cancer follow-up system: an audit

Although there have been studies into intensive follow-up versus non-intensive follow-up of patients following colorectal surgery, the evidence has not demonstrated sufficient benefit in the intensive follow-up regimen to warrant change in practice nationally, and there are no national guidelines for this. Currently at the authors' hospital the follow-up is non-intensive, and consists of an initial nurse-led surgical follow-up, dedicated patient hotline telephone number, surveillance, symptom list and open access to the nurse-led clinic as required. An audit was carried out to determine patient satisfaction with the current method of follow-up and to identify areas for improvement. The majority of patients (95%) were 'very or fairly' happy with the current service. Areas for improvement were identified. The key point from the survey was that patients would like a follow-up phone call post-diagnosis and 48 hours post-discharge from hospital. This has been implemented since the audit.