Satisfaction of Patients with Cancer at Day Care Units

Abstract

Background: Cancer patients have an experience of pain and discomfort. Unfortunately, Satisfaction with care is an important influence determining whether a person seeks medical advice, complies with treatment and maintains a continuing relationship with practitioner's. Patient satisfaction with nursing care is considered an important factor in explaining patients' perceptions of service quality Aim of the study: this study aimed to assess satisfaction of patients with cancer at day care units. Research design: Descriptive study design utilized in this study. Research setting: This study conducted in cancer day care unit at Oncology Institute affiliated to Damanhur, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt. Research subjects: A convenient sample of 350 cancer patients. Study tools: (1) A structure interview questionnaire record to gather data related to demographic data of patients, medical history, patients' knowledge related to cancer, health problems and needs of patients, (2) Assessing cancer patients' satisfaction at day care units. Results: more than half of cancer patient had unsatisfactory total knowledge, less than half of patients not exposed to problems that may occur after chemotherapy, more than two thirds of patient always needs to psychological support, near to two thirds of them were satisfied toward the health care services provided at day care units, there was statistically significant difference between total satisfaction of patients and total health care services p>0.00 Conclusion: More than one third of cancer patient had unsatisfactory knowledge while less than two third of them had satisfactory knowledge about types of investigation and screening, more than half of cancer patient had unsatisfactory level of total knowledge. Recommendations: Developing and application of training program for nurses to update their knowledge and improve their skills regarding different care provided for cancer patients at day care units.