Patient satisfaction is a key determinant of healthcare quality; however, its assessment in stroke prevention clinics (SPCs) remains inadequate. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to establish a baseline for patient experience at an SPC in Northeastern Ontario. Our QI team developed a satisfaction survey based on the Donabedian Model. Conducted over 30 days in July 2025, 43 of 51 invited patients completed the survey, resulting in an 84% response rate. Qualitative feedback was gathered for the thematic analysis. Patients reported high satisfaction across the Donabedian framework domains, with over 90% understanding their care steps and feeling dignified. Pareto analysis identified discharge education as a key area for improvement. Despite an 88% satisfaction rate, this domain was prioritized to enhance post-discharge patient preparedness, potentially reducing readmission risk. A limitation of this study was the small, single-site, and brief data collection period. This initiative established a baseline for patient experience and highlighted post-discharge education as a critical area of improvement.

This project aims to assess the early impact of value-based healthcare (VBHC) implementation in a Bulgarian cancer center, focusing on lung cancer treatment, and to improve care coordination, expand capacity, and introduce outcome measurement through integrated practice units (IPUs), optimized pathways, and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). The approach included (i) 90 h of direct observation, (ii) structured stakeholder interviews, and (iii) time-driven activity-based costing (TDABC) to map resource use. Process maps guided workflow redesign. PROM implementation, based on the International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement lung cancer set, involved staff training and licensing. One year post-implementation, day hospital capacity doubled (50–100 patients/day). An external call center reduced physicians’ administrative load. Interdisciplinary meetings and optimized referrals enhanced communication. PROMs now cover part of the lung cancer cohort. TDABC revealed opportunities for staff reallocation and streamlined diagnostics. Early results suggest VBHC is feasible in Eastern Europe, with measurable gains in efficiency. Future steps include PROM digitization, telemedicine expansion, and adapting the IPU model to other cancer types.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been associated with reduced quality of life. However, few studies have explored patients’ accounts of its psychological impact. This patient-oriented qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals with VTE to better understand its psychological impact and identify strategies to support patient well-being. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 individuals diagnosed with VTE. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Most participants described significant emotional and psychological challenges, including anxiety about recurrence and uncertainty around the cause and management of their condition. The use of anticoagulants often required lifestyle changes, influenced by concerns about bleeding. While early care was generally described as reassuring, many participants felt unsupported after discharge. For some, the end of acute treatment marked the beginning of new emotional struggles. Participants emphasized the need for care that continues beyond the acute phase and includes mental health support. These findings highlight the need for patient-centered VTE care that addresses both physical and psychological needs throughout the care journey.

Missed appointments (no-shows) in primary care compromise timely access to care and contribute to higher healthcare costs. The expansion of patient portals, mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act, and the broader adoption of digital tools may transform how patients engage with their healthcare providers. We conducted a case-control study using electronic medical records from an academic family medicine clinic between April and May 2023. Eligible participants were patients 18 years and older. Cases were the no-shows. Two controls, patients who attended their appointments, were randomly selected for each case. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient portal access and no-shows, adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical covariates. Patients who missed appointments were less likely to have access to the patient portal (odds ratio: 0.43; 95% confidence interval: 0.30–0.59). Factors positively associated with no-shows included being non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, and having public insurance or no insurance. Hypertension and osteoarthritis were negatively associated with no-shows. Access to patient portals was associated with lower odds of missed appointments, suggesting that digital engagement tools may improve adherence to primary care visits.

This descriptive qualitative study explores breast cancer survivors’ lived experiences with exercise and body image following diagnosis and treatment. Ten women, aged 48 to 80, participated in individual Zoom interviews, sharing personal reflections on how breast cancer impacted their perception of their bodies and overall appearance. Through reflexive thematic analysis, three key themes emerged: exercise as a means of physical rehabilitation, emotional coping, and social connection. Participants commonly described walking and other forms of movement as helpful in improving both their physical well-being and self-image. Notably, many survivors reported feeling unprepared for the visible changes to their bodies, expressing shock and emotional distress when confronting these transformations. The study highlights the importance of incorporating anticipatory guidance and supportive interventions into survivorship care, particularly around appearance-related concerns. These insights underscore the value of patient-centered approaches that recognize exercise as a multidimensional tool for healing and adaptation, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life among breast cancer survivors.

This study investigates factors influencing women's childbirth experiences, aligning with World Health Organization guidelines emphasizing the importance of a positive pregnancy and childbirth journey. Conducted at the RigaMaternity Hospital between June 2022 and February 2024, the research included 133 women who completed 2 postpartum questionnaires—the short version of the Quality from the Patient's Perspective at discharge, and the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ) 4 weeks later. Key findings emerged from the CEQ analysis. The contract either midwife or doctor was the main factor for higher satisfaction with labor across all CEQ domains. Unplanned medical interventions such as episiotomy were associated with lower scores in the domains “Own capacity” and “Perceived safety.” In contrast, patients who experienced a spontaneous perineal tear reported significantly more positive answers on “Own capacity” and “Participation” scales. A moderate negative correlation was observed between postpartum blood loss and “Own capacity” (ρ = −0.331, P < .001). These findings highlight the central role of communication, individualized care, and minimized medical intervention in shaping women's childbirth experiences, underscoring the need for supportive and respectful maternity care practices.

This study examined the relationships among resilience, demoralization, and quality of life (QoL) in older patients with colorectal cancer and explored the mediating role of resilience. A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was conducted at a medical center in northern Taiwan. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, including a demographic survey, the Resilience Scale, the Mandarin Version of the Demoralization Scale, and the McGill Quality of Life Questionnaire. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. Among 139 participants, resilience was negatively correlated with demoralization (γ = −0.728, P < .001) and positively correlated with QoL (γ = 0.714, P < .001). Demoralization was negatively correlated with QoL (γ = −0.719, P < .001). Mediation analysis confirmed that resilience significantly mediated the relationship between demoralization and QoL (Z = −4.69, P < .001). Enhancing resilience may reduce demoralization and improve QoL in older colorectal cancer patients. Integrating resilience-building interventions into early-stage cancer care may enhance patients’ psychological well-being and overall QoL, though further studies with more representative samples are needed.

Consistent and effective self-management of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) remains a challenge for many patients, who face barriers such as limited healthcare access, poor diet, and insufficient exercise. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) allows patients with specific chronic conditions to monitor and report their healthcare data through a digital platform. However, there is limited research on Medicaid patients’ experiences using RPM. The purpose of this study was to describe patients’ experiences managing their DM and HTN using RPM. Semi-structured longitudinal interviews were conducted with seventeen participants enrolled in a RPM program. Thematic analysis of interviews revealed three main themes: program enrollment experiences, utilizing RPM, and factors impacting disease management. Patients reported that their overall experience utilizing RPM was positive, and RPM helped to overcome challenges such as unhealthy eating and infrequent monitoring of their blood sugars and/or blood pressures. Results suggest that RPM programs could be an effective strategy for supporting the management of DM and HTN. Limitations include small sample size and variability in Medicaid program design by states in U.S.Clinical Trials.govNCT: NCT05555095https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05555095

Despite broadening treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), challenges and unmet needs remain. This study aimed to characterize patient preferences with current pharmacologic treatments and impressions of an implantable neuroimmune modulation device. A patient survey was conducted, combined with a discrete choice experiment that included 12 choice sets, containing a device profile and drug profile, featuring 8 attributes specific to each. In total, 354 completed surveys were included, 74% female, 79% <60 years, stratified into Biologic Naïve (n = 103); Biologic-Experienced-I (n = 151); and Biologic-Experienced-II (n = 100). Lack of efficacy was the primary reason for treatment discontinuation of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic or targeted synthetic DMARDs. Initial impression of device-based treatment was “Positive” or “Extremely Positive” by 45% and preference ranked higher than current drug treatment options for both Biologic Experienced groups. Key drivers of treatment preference included out-of-pocket cost, symptom improvement, physical function and fatigue, and irreversible joint damage protection. RA patients were accepting of a novel neuroimmune modulation approach, including a surgically implanted device, meeting identified attributes and expectations of safety and efficacy as observed in controlled trials.

UAB Medicine, a leading health system serving over 1.5 million patients annually, conducted a study to identify factors driving trust in primary care and family medicine. This joint initiative between UAB's Office of Patient Experience and Engagement, Department of Primary Care and Family Medicine, and the School of Health Professions aimed to measure trust and develop behavior-based guidelines to enhance patient interactions. Findings from the 2-phase study highlighted that clinicians who demonstrate concern, address patient questions, and remain fully present during encounters are significantly more likely to foster patient satisfaction. By operationalizing trust through observable clinician behaviors, this work extends beyond measurement to inform practical, scalable strategies for strengthening humanistic care. Building on these insights, UAB Medicine is expanding this work to examine trust-building across additional specialties to strengthen health outcomes.