Preferences for patient-centered care among cancer survivors 5 years post-diagnosis

Our primary objective was to identify predictors associated with preferences for patient-centered care among cancer survivors and the association between cancer health literacy and patient-centered care preferences.

Cross sectional analyses of N = 345 adult cancer survivors (5 years post cancer diagnosis) attending follow-ups at University Malaya Medical Centre, Malaysia. Face-to face-interviews were conducted using the 30-item Cancer Health Literacy Test and the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale to determine preference for patient-centered care.

Cancer survivors' preference for patient-centered care was associated with a higher cancer health literacy score, higher educational level, being employed, breast cancer diagnosis, and not desiring psychological support [F (14, 327) = 11.25, p < 0.001, R² = 0.325].

Findings from this study provide insights into preferences for patient-centered care among cancer survivors during receipt of follow-up care, which remains an understudied phase of cancer care delivery.

Efforts are needed to ensure different preferences for care are taken into account particularly in the setting of variable cancer health literacy.