Arden JD, Rutka E, Ye H, Robertson JM. A Personalized Patient Teaching Session at the Time of Radiation Simulation May Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores.
Adv Radiat Oncol 2020;
6:100570. [PMID:
33553809 PMCID:
PMC7848435 DOI:
10.1016/j.adro.2020.09.010]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 10/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose
Radiation therapy simulation is an excellent time for patient education. We implemented a comprehensive personalized patient experience-focused (PX) teaching session at the time of simulation and assessed its effect using patient satisfaction scores.
Methods and Materials
From February 2016 to June 2018, a single PX-trained radiation therapy therapist met patients at simulation to address and resolve all treatment-related questions. Results from a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services approved voluntary patient satisfaction tool were used to assess the effect of this intervention, using tools the patients received during the on-treatment period. Scores from patients contacted by the PX therapist were compared with those of noncontacted patients.
Results
For the survey, 1369 patients were contacted (median contact duration, 23 minutes; range, 0-117). Of 732 surveys submitted during this time, 98 were from on-treatment patients (69 contacted, 29 not contacted). The majority of contacted patients and survey responders were women (64% and 62%, respectively), patients with breast cancer (38%, 41%), and patients who had received curative therapy (82%, 69%). Scores from contacted patients were significantly higher for 10 of the 17 questions (registration helpfulness, P = .03; registration wait time, P = .048; facility way finding, P = .03; facility cleanliness, P = .01; treatment staff skill, P = .03; treatment staff concern for questions, P = .003; response to concerns, P = .01; staff worked together, P = .01; overall rating of care, P = .01; and likelihood of recommending care, P = .04) and 4 of the 5 domains (registration, P = .04; facility, P = .03; personal issues, P = .02; overall assessment, P = .002).
Conclusions
Contact by a PX therapist was associated with higher patient satisfaction scores, including areas specifically addressed by the PX teaching session (concerns for questions, response to concerns) as well as other areas (cleanliness, registration wait time).
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