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. 2013 Apr 23:13:203.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-203.

Improving cancer patient care: development of a generic cancer consumer quality index questionnaire for cancer patients

Judith C Booij  1 , Marieke Zegers, Pauline M P J Evers, Michelle Hendriks, Diana M J Delnoij, Jany J D J M Rademakers
Affiliations

Improving cancer patient care: development of a generic cancer consumer quality index questionnaire for cancer patients

Judith C Booij et al. BMC Cancer. .

Abstract

Background: To develop a Consumer Quality Index (CQI) Cancer Care questionnaire for measuring experiences with hospital care of patients with different types of cancer.

Methods: We derived quality aspects from focus group discussions, existing questionnaires and literature. We developed an experience questionnaire and sent it to 1,498 Dutch cancer patients. Another questionnaire measuring the importance of the quality aspects was sent to 600 cancer patients. Data were psychometrically analysed.

Results: The response to the experience questionnaire was 50 percent. Psychometric analysis revealed 12 reliable scales. Patients rated rapid and adequate referral, rapid start of the treatment after diagnosis, enough information and confidence in the healthcare professionals as most important themes. Hospitals received high scores for skills and cooperation of healthcare professionals and a patient-centered approach by doctors; and low scores for psychosocial guidance and information at completion of the treatment.

Conclusions: The CQI Cancer Care questionnaire is a valuable tool for the evaluation of the quality of cancer care from the patient's perspective. Large scale implementation is necessary to determine the discriminatory powers of the questionnaire and may enable healthcare providers to improve the quality of cancer care. Preliminary results indicate that hospitals could improve their psychosocial guidance and information provision.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Average scale score and 95% confidence intervals for the twelve scales of the experience questionnaire. Scores ranged from 1 to 4, 4 being the best possible score.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Average scale score and 95% confidence intervals for scales with statistically significant differences in average score between tumour types (ANOVA p<0.05). Differences in average scale scores are reported for the five most commonly reported tumour types. Calculations are based on 205 tumours of the digestive tract, 171 breast tumours, 153 tumours of the male reproductive organs, 73 tumours of the female reproductive organs and 70 tumours of the skin.
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