Cancer patients’ satisfaction with doctors and preferences about death in a university hospital in Turkey

Abstract

ObjectiveTo determine the expectations and satisfaction levels of Turkish cancer patients regarding their doctors, their wishes about the place and process of dying and to elucidate factors affecting them. MethodsFor this cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was given to 150 cancer patients in 2009. ResultsAmong respondents, 63% stated that they would like to know all the details about their disease and they generally preferred a sudden, painless death, without any intervention at the last moment, but in a hospital. Almost all wanted a religious ceremony after their death. The question with the highest reported level of satisfaction was whether patients had complete trust in their doctors, whereas the least satisfaction was reported for doctors’ explanations during visits. Gender, tumour type and level of education had statistically significant effects on patient satisfaction. ConclusionThe majority of our cancer patients trusted doctors and wanted to learn more about the progress of their cancer, in contrast to the general tendency of their families to hide the diagnosis. The hospital is still the most preferred place for dying. Practice implicationsAlterations in communication may lead to disparities in patient outcomes; therefore, communication skill training should guide clinicians to recognise these tendencies.