It Only Takes a Minute: The Development and Implementation of a Patient Experience Survey in Radiation Therapy

Health care services use surveys to assess patient satisfaction and identify areas for improvement. While it is important to assess patient satisfaction to ensure their needs are met, lengthy questionnaires with closed-ended questions often focus on areas that may be considered important by institutions rather than patients. Recently, focus has shifted toward patient and caregiver experience, which institutions address via appreciative inquiry. The aim of this initiative was the development of a patient experience survey (PES) for radiation therapy patients and caregivers which would allow them to express their opinions and priorities. This patient feedback would then be addressed through quality improvement (QI) projects geared toward improving the overall patient and caregiver experience in radiation therapy.

A three-question minute survey was developed for use as a PES in the radiation therapy department of an academic oncology program located in a large metropolitan area. Feedback was obtained from patient education and person-centred care experts, as well as 10 radiation therapy patients. All feedback was incorporated to create the final PES; respondents rated their agreement on a five-point Likert scale with the statement "My overall experience in Radiation Therapy was great" and two open-ended questions allowed them to highlight departmental strengths and areas for improvement. An initial 3-month pilot was conducted where PESs were available on a self-serve basis to patients and caregivers in waiting areas and at radiation therapy treatment units. All responses were anonymous and completed surveys were returned via drop boxes. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were used to analyse responses.

A total of 86 surveys were returned. Of those, 80 (93%) responded to the Likert scale question with 83% agreeing or strongly agreeing that their experience in radiation therapy was great. Several strengths were identified by respondents including teamwork, professionalism, and knowledge. Areas identified for improvement included management of appointment delays and communication of delays to patients, as well as environmental improvements.

Although most respondents reported a favourable experience, this pilot demonstrated the minute survey can identify areas for improvement that can be addressed through QI. Including the patient perspective in QI is evidenced to enhance its outcome and aligns with institutional, provincial, and national strategic goals of improving the quality of cancer care through patient engagement.