Abstract
Waiting times can raise significant concern for cancer patients. This study examined cancer patients' concern levels at each phase of waiting. Demographic, disease and psychosocial characteristics associated with concern at each phase were also assessed. 146 consenting outpatients (n= 146) were recruited from two hospitals in Sydney, Australia. Each completed a touch-screen computer survey, asking them to recall concern experienced regarding waiting times at each treatment phase. Approximately half (52%) reported experiencing concern during at least one treatment phase, while 8.9% reported experiencing concern at every phase. Higher proportions of patients reported concern about waiting times from: deciding to have radiotherapy to commencement of radiotherapy (31%); the first specialist appointment to receiving a cancer diagnosis (28%); and deciding to have chemotherapy to commencement of chemotherapy (28%). Patient groups more likely to report concern were those of lower socio-economic status, born outside Australia, or of younger age. Although a small proportion of patients reported very high levels of concern regarding waiting times, the experience of some concern was prevalent. Opportunities for reducing this concern are discussed. Vulnerable groups, such as younger and socio-economically disadvantaged patients, should be the focus of efforts to reduce waiting times and patient concern levels.
Highlights
The importance of access to high-quality cancer careCancer is an international health priority and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (World Health Organisation 2009)
Non-completion was primarily due to appointment waiting times being shorter than expected
Almost 70% of patients reported they were unsure whether or not they had had a recurrence of their cancer or a secondary cancer diagnosis
Summary
The importance of access to high-quality cancer careCancer is an international health priority and a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide (World Health Organisation 2009). The importance of access to high-quality cancer care. The identification of key indicators of high-quality cancer care has received much attention (Organisation for Economic Development and Co-operation 2009; Institute of Medicine 2011). Access to care involves not just the availability of a service, and the ability to utilise that care (Aday & Andersen 1974). The receipt of timely attention is central to highquality care in that delays in receiving care may lead to more advanced disease (Mohammed et al, 2011) and subsequently reduced length of life (Richards et al 1999; Fahmy et al 2006; Teppo & Alho 2009). Access to cancer care as a measure of quality
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