Perceptions of Quality in Interventional Oncology

Area of Science:

• Qualitative research
• Patient-centered care
• Interventional oncology

Background:

• Understanding patient and provider perspectives is crucial for improving interventional oncology (IO) services.
• Previous research has not fully captured the nuanced experiences and values influencing perceptions of IO quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To inductively characterize perceptions of quality in interventional oncology (IO).
• To understand the values and experiences of patients and referring providers regarding IO services.

Main Methods:

• Brief ethnographic interviews were conducted with patients and referring providers.
• Constructivist grounded theory was employed for systematic analysis of interview transcripts.
• Thematic saturation was achieved, with excellent interreviewer agreement (Cohen κ = 0.78).

Main Results:

• High-quality IO care perceptions centered on interventional radiologists being responsive, friendly, and collaborative.
• Dedicated support staff and well-coordinated post-procedure care and follow-up were highly valued.
• While patient and provider perceptions varied, disjointed post-procedure care was a common critique.

Conclusions:

• An inductive qualitative approach effectively identified key aspects of high-quality IO care.
• Focusing on communication, collaboration, and care coordination can enhance patient and provider satisfaction in IO.