Cancer patients' satisfaction with day care unit services have impact on their quality of life

Quality of life and quality of care are determinants that interact on the patients' health and satisfaction with care. The aim of the study is to investigate the satisfaction factors of day clinic cancer patients that influence their quality of life. The identification of the important health sectors and the improvement of the weak areas contribute to the amelioration of cancer patients' state of health as well as to the increase of their satisfaction with the day care unit.

The research is a cross-sectional, quantitative, descriptive and correlation study. It was conducted in a cancer day care unit of an oncology hospital in Greece, from January 2022 to July 2022. A convenient sample of 101 cancer outpatients with different diagnoses and disease progression completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment for Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-EORTCQLQ-30 and a validated satisfaction questionnaire for ambulatory patients based on the SERVQUAL quality dimensions.

Higher satisfaction regarding waiting (rho=0.20; p=0.041), medical care (rho=0.23; p=0.023), nursing care (rho=0.25; p=0.014) and overall satisfaction (rho=0.25; p=0.012) was significantly positively associated with better general health status. Accordingly, patients' satisfaction with reception (rho=0.21; p=0.039), waiting (rho=0.20; p=0.050), medical care (rho=0.24; p=0.019), nursing care (rho=0.25; p=0.013) and overall satisfaction (rho=0.25; p=0.014) were related positively to significantly better social functioning. Satisfaction with waiting was also significantly positively associated with better emotional functioning (rho=0.24; p=0.018), while satisfaction with medical care was correlated with better cognitive functioning (rho=0.21; p=0.041). Fatigue levels were significantly associated with patients' dissatisfaction with medical (rho=-0.23; p=0.021) and nursing care (rho=-0.23; p=0.024).

Cancer patients' satisfaction with the healthcare provided in the day clinic has a significant impact on their quality of life which is improved by prompt and effective medical and nursing interventions as well as by well organized health services.