Improving Cancer Patients Satisfaction with Treatment Process: A Pilot Interventional Approach in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan

Abstract

Background and Objective: Chemotherapy is one of the treatments of choice worldwide to combat cancer. The complex nature of chemotherapeutic agents results in multiple physiological and psychological issues and if the patient and their caregivers (family) are unaware of these effects, poses additional stress which may result in patient dissatisfaction. This pilot project aimed to provide patients'/families' awareness regarding the process of treatment and subsequently to improve their satisfaction level. Methods: This academic project is a mandatory assignment of clinical practicum course (for the degree of Masters in Nursing Sciences (Aga Khan University School of Nursing & Midwifery). An interventional design was employed for this study. A total of 30 cancer patients, that is 15 in the intervention group and 15 as controls were recruited. The project was initiated as an academic requirement (started in Jan 2015) and last for four months (Apr 2015). Patients planned for their first chemotherapy cycle were selected in both groups. A self-developed questionnaire was used to assess the patient satisfaction level regarding the chemotherapy process before and after the standardized and video-based educational intervention. An independent T-test was used to analyze the data. Results: The overall mean score of patient satisfaction level after the intervention was 18.80; whereas, it was 11.93 for another group. The patient's mean satisfaction level was higher for the intervention group. Conclusion: This study indicates video-based intervention for pre-chemotherapy teaching as an effective educational mode to assist patients throughout the treatment process. It can also facilitate in reducing treatment-related stressors and enhance patients' satisfaction levels.