Abstract
BackgroundAdvanced cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival, leading to an increase in the number of patients who require long-term outpatient chemotherapy. However, the available schedule options for chemotherapy are generally limited to traditional business hours.MethodIn 2017, we surveyed 721 patients with cancer in Okayama, Japan, regarding their preferences for evening and weekend (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday) chemotherapy appointments.ResultsA preference for evening and weekend appointment options was indicated by 37% of the respondents. Patients who requested weekend chemotherapy were younger, female, with no spouse or partner, living alone, employed, and currently receiving treatment. Among these factors, age and employment status were significantly associated with a preference for weekend chemotherapy, according to multivariate analysis.ConclusionOur findings reveal a demand for evening and weekend outpatient chemotherapy, especially among young, employed patients.
Highlights
Advanced cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival but have led to an increase in the number of patients who require long-term outpatient chemotherapy [1,2,3]
Treatment of patients with cancer in an outpatient setting is important for reducing the social burden of therapy and for maintaining quality of life (QoL) among these patients, as it allows them to integrate treatment into daily life [4,5,6,7]
The aims of this study were (i) to assess whether there is a substantial demand for evening or weekend outpatient chemotherapy and (ii) to identify the sociodemographic and clinical factors of patients with a preference for evening or weekend outpatient chemotherapy
Summary
Advanced cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival but have led to an increase in the number of patients who require long-term outpatient chemotherapy [1,2,3]. Advanced cancer therapeutics have improved patient survival, leading to an increase in the number of patients who require long-term outpatient chemotherapy. Method In 2017, we surveyed 721 patients with cancer in Okayama, Japan, regarding their preferences for evening and weekend (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday) chemotherapy appointments. Patients who requested weekend chemotherapy were younger, female, with no spouse or partner, living alone, employed, and currently receiving treatment. Among these factors, age and employment status were significantly associated with a preference for weekend chemotherapy, according to multivariate analysis
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