Satisfaction with follow-up consultations among younger adults treated for cancer: the role of quality of life and psychological variables
Corresponding Author
Gisela Michel
Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorDiana Greenfield
Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, UK
Search for more papers by this authorKate Absolom
Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Bexley Wing, St James's Institute of Oncology, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
Search for more papers by this authorChristine Eiser
Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
Search for more papers by this authoron behalf of the Late Effects Group Sheffield
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Gisela Michel
Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Finkenhubelweg 11, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandSearch for more papers by this authorDiana Greenfield
Academic Unit of Clinical Oncology, Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield, UK
Search for more papers by this authorKate Absolom
Psychosocial Oncology and Clinical Practice Research Group, Bexley Wing, St James's Institute of Oncology, Beckett Street, Leeds, UK
Search for more papers by this authorChristine Eiser
Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
Search for more papers by this authoron behalf of the Late Effects Group Sheffield
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Objective: Given increased survival rates and treatment-related late effects, follow-up for cancer survivors is increasingly recommended. However, information about adverse events (e.g. possibility of late effects) may be distressing for the cancer survivor and lead to poor clinic attendance. Survivor satisfaction with appointments and the information provided are important. The Monitoring Process Model provides a theoretical framework to understand how survivors cope with threatening information, and consequences for follow-up care. Our aims were to describe satisfaction with routine follow-up and association between monitoring/blunting and satisfaction with care.
Methods: Three hundred and forty-nine patients [aged 18–45 years with a history of haematological, germ cell, breast or childhood cancer, >5 years from diagnosis without relapse (>2 years for germ cell survivors) and with a follow-up appointment during the study period] were identified from hospital databases. Participants completed questionnaires before (T1) and after a routine appointment (T2).
Results: Two hundred and seventy-nine (79.9%) questionnaires were completed at T1 and 198 (56.7%) at T2. Clinic satisfaction was higher with shorter waiting time, longer consultation and more topics discussed, but not associated with monitoring. High monitors reported more psychological problems, more importance of clinic attendance and greater value of support groups and professional counselling.
Conclusions: Satisfaction with follow-up is high among young adult cancer survivors. Follow-up was rated more highly by higher monitors, supporting previous findings that monitors seek out health care information. Provision of additional support services might increase satisfaction among survivors with psychological and social problems. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
References
- 1Gatta G, Zigon G, Capocaccia R et al. Survival of European children and young adults with cancer diagnosed 1995–2002. Eur J Cancer 2009; 45: 992–1005.
- 2Oeffinger KC, Mertens AC, Sklar CA et al. Chronic health conditions in adult survivors of childhood cancer. N Engl J Med 2006; 355: 1572–1582.
- 3Ganz PA, Greendale GA, Petersen L, Kahn B, Bower JE. Breast cancer in younger women: reproductive and late health effects of treatment. J Clin Oncol 2003; 21: 4184–4193.
- 4Skinner R, Wallace WH, Levitt G. Long-term follow-up of children treated for cancer: why is it necessary, by whom, where and how? Arch Dis Child 2007; 92: 257–260.
- 5von der Weid N, Wagner HP. Organisation of follow-up in paediatric oncology. Eur J Cancer 2003; 39: 1150–1154.
- 6 Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Long Term Follow-up of Survivors of Childhood Cancer. A National Clinical Guideline, No. 76. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network: Edinburgh, 2004.
- 7Skinner R, Wallace H, Levitt G. Therapy Based Long Term Follow Up: Practice Statement. United Kingdom Children's Cancer Study Group (Late Effects Group): Leicester, 2005.
- 8 Children's Oncology Group. Long-Term Follow-Up Guidelines for Survivors of Childhood, Adolescent, and Young Adult Cancers V3.0., 2008. Available from: http://www.survivorshipguidelines.org [accessed 11 January 2010].
- 9 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Improving Outcomes in Breast Cancer, Manual Update, 2002. Available from: http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CSGBC/Guidance/pdf/English [accessed 10 November 2009].
- 10Khatcheressian JL, Wolff AC, Smith TJ et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology 2006 update of the breast cancer follow-up and management guidelines in the adjuvant setting. J Clin Oncol 2006; 24: 5091–5097.
- 11 National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence. Improving Outcomes in Haematological Cancers, Manual Update, 2002. Available from: http://www.nice.org.uk/Guidance/CSGHO/Guidance/pdf/English [accessed 10 November 2009].
- 12van As NJ, Gilbert DC, Money-Kyrle J et al. Evidence-based pragmatic guidelines for the follow-up of testicular cancer: optimising the detection of relapse. Br J Cancer 2008; 98: 1894–1902.
- 13Johnson R, Horne B, Feltbower RG, Butler GE, Glaser AW. Hospital attendance patterns in long term survivors of cancer. Arch Dis Child 2004; 89: 374–377.
- 14Grunfeld E, Fitzpatrick R, Mant D et al. Comparison of breast cancer patient satisfaction with follow-up in primary care versus specialist care: results from a randomized controlled trial. Br J Gen Pract 1999; 49: 705–710.
- 15Walker MS, Ristvedt SL, Haughey BH. Patient care in multidisciplinary cancer clinics: does attention to psychosocial needs predict patient satisfaction? Psycho-Oncology 2003; 12: 291–300.
- 16Brown RF, Hill C, Burant CJ, Siminoff LA. Satisfaction of early breast cancer patients with discussions during initial oncology consultations with a medical oncologist. Psycho-Oncology 2009; 18: 42–49.
- 17Shilling V, Jenkins V, Fallowfield L. Factors affecting patient and clinician satisfaction with the clinical consultation: can communication skills training for clinicians improve satisfaction? Psycho-Oncology 2003; 12: 599–611.
- 18Hack TF, Pickles T, Ruether JD, Weir L, Bultz BD, Degner LF. Behind closed doors: systematic analysis of breast cancer consultation communication and predictors of satisfaction with communication. Psycho-Oncology 2009. DOI: 10.1002/pon.1592.
- 19Uitterhoeve R, Bensing J, Dilven E, Donders R, Demulder P, van Achterberg T. Nurse-patient communication in cancer care: does responding to patient's cues predict patient satisfaction with communication. Psycho-Oncology 2009.
- 20Haddad S, Potvin L, Roberge D, Pineault R, Remondin M. Patient perception of quality following a visit to a doctor in a primary care unit. Fam Pract 2000; 17: 21–29.
- 21Winefield HR, Murrell TG, Clifford J. Process and outcomes in general practice consultations: problems in defining high quality care. Soc Sci Med 1995; 41: 969–975.
- 22Frojd C, Lampic C, Larsson G, von Essen L. Is satisfaction with doctors' care related to health-related quality of life, anxiety and depression among patients with carcinoid tumours? A longitudinal report. Scand J Caring Sci 2009; 23: 107–116.
- 23Absolom K, Eiser C, Michel G et al. Follow-up care for cancer survivors: views of the younger adult. Br J Cancer 2009; 101: 561–567.
- 24Absolom K, Greenfield D, Ross R et al. Predictors of clinic satisfaction among adult survivors of childhood cancer. Eur J Cancer 2006; 42: 1421–1427.
- 25Michel G, Greenfield DM, Absolom K, Ross RJ, Davies H, Eiser C. Follow-up care after childhood cancer: survivors' expectations and preferences for care. Eur J Cancer 2009; 45: 1616–1623.
- 26Brett J, Bankhead C, Henderson B, Watson E, Austoker J. The psychological impact of mammographic screening. A systematic review. Psycho-Oncology 2005; 14: 917–938.
- 27Brain K, Henderson BJ, Tyndel S et al. Predictors of breast cancer-related distress following mammography screening in younger women on a family history breast screening programme. Psycho-Oncology 2008; 17: 1180–1188.
- 28Pennery E, Mallet J. A preliminary study of patients' perceptions of routine follow-up after treatment for breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2000; 4: 138–145; discussion 146–147.
- 29Miller SM. Monitoring and blunting: validation of a questionnaire to assess styles of information seeking under threat. J Pers Soc Psychol 1987; 52: 345–353.
- 30Miller SM, Brody DS, Summerton J. Styles of coping with threat: implications for health. J Pers Soc Psychol 1988; 54: 142–148.
- 31Miller SM. Monitoring versus blunting styles of coping with cancer influence the information patients want and need about their disease. Implications for cancer screening and management. Cancer 1995; 76: 167–177.
10.1002/1097-0142(19950715)76:2<167::AID-CNCR2820760203>3.0.CO;2-K CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 32Schwartz MD, Lerman C, Miller SM, Daly M, Masny A. Coping disposition, perceived risk, and psychological distress among women at increased risk for ovarian cancer. Health Psychol 1995; 14: 232–235.
- 33Ong LM, Visser MR, van Zuuren FJ, Rietbroek RC, Lammes FB, de Haes JC. Cancer patients' coping styles and doctor-patient communication. Psycho-Oncology 1999; 8: 155–166.
10.1002/(SICI)1099-1611(199903/04)8:2<155::AID-PON350>3.0.CO;2-A CAS PubMed Web of Science® Google Scholar
- 34Shiloh S, Koehly L, Jenkins J, Martin J, Hadley D. Monitoring coping style moderates emotional reactions to genetic testing for hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer: a longitudinal study. Psycho-Oncology 2008; 17: 746–755.
- 35Miller SM, Buzaglo JS, Simms SL et al. Monitoring styles in women at risk for cervical cancer: implications for the framing of health-relevant messages. Ann Behav Med 1999; 21: 27–34.
- 36Miller SM, Mangan CE. Interacting effects of information and coping style in adapting to gynecologic stress: should the doctor tell all? J Pers Soc Psychol 1983; 45: 223–236.
- 37Williams-Piehota P, Pizarro J, Schneider TR, Mowad L, Salovey P. Matching health messages to monitor-blunter coping styles to motivate screening mammography. Health Psychol 2005; 24: 58–67.
- 38Sheehan J, Sherman KA, Lam T, Boyages J. Association of information satisfaction, psychological distress and monitoring coping style with post-decision regret following breast reconstruction. Psycho-Oncology 2007; 16: 342–351.
- 39Greenfield DG, Absolom K, Davies H, Ross R, Eiser C. Childhood cancer survivors: transition from pediatric to adult care. Curr Med Lit–GH and Growth Factors 2003; 18: 83–91.
- 40van Zuuren FJ, de Groot KI, Mulder NL, Peter M. Coping with medical threat: an evaluation of the Threatening Medical Situations Inventory (TMSI). Pers Individ Diff 1996; 21: 21–31.
- 41Ware Jr J, Kosinski M, Keller SD. A 12-item short-form health survey: construction of scales and preliminary tests of reliability and validity. Med Care 1996; 34: 220–233.
- 42Ferrell BR, Dow KH, Grant M. Measurement of the quality of life in cancer survivors. Qual Life Res 1995; 4: 523–531.
- 43Loblaw DA, Bezjak A, Bunston T. Development and testing of a visit-specific patient satisfaction questionnaire: the Princess Margaret Hospital satisfaction with doctor questionnaire. J Clin Oncol 1999; 17: 1931–1938.
- 44Loblaw DA, Bezjak A, Singh PM et al. Psychometric refinement of an outpatient, visit-specific satisfaction with doctor questionnaire. Psycho-Oncology 2004; 13: 223–234.
- 45de Bock GH, Bonnema J, Zwaan RE, van de Velde CJ, Kievit J, Stiggelbout AM. Patient's needs and preferences in routine follow-up after treatment for breast cancer. Br J Cancer 2004; 90: 1144–1150.
- 46Thorne SE, Hislop TG, Stajduhar K, Oglov V. Time-related communication skills from the cancer patient perspective. Psycho-Oncology 2008; DOI: 10.1002/pon.1418.
10.1002/pon.1418 Google Scholar
- 47Parker PA, Baile WF, de Moor C, Lenzi R, Kudelka AP, Cohen L. Breaking bad news about cancer: patients' preferences for communication. J Clin Oncol 2001; 19: 2049–2056.
Citing Literature
