Examples

Audit of Patient’s views of colorectal cancer services

Patient Questionnaire headings

• before diagnosis : your visits to the GP surgery
• before diagnosis : your visits to the hospital for tests
• diagnosis : when you were told your diagnosis
• treatment : Surgery
• treatment : Radiotherapy
• treatment : Chemotherapy
• Follow up visits to hospital
• Your overall care
• Carers section

Questionnaire results

Before diagnosis – GP

• GP not taken their worries seriously and didn’t pick the problem up quickly enough
• Referral to hospital was quick
• GP did not explain the reason for the referral to the patient

Before diagnosis and being told of diagnosis – Hospital

• Wait was not too long for 1st hospital appointment, or to the tests being performed and to the time from diagnosis to treatment
• Tests were well explained
• Felt given good opportunity to discuss concerns
• Anxiety understood by staff
• Clear of what was happening next
• More privacy in clinic needed

Treatment – surgery

• Clear explanations regarding proposed surgery, possible effects/risks clearly described
• Good involvement of relatives
• Felt involved in the decision-making of their care
• More information on what to expect at home
• Good discharge arrangements

Treatment – Radiotherapy

• All explained well
• Both patients and relatives felt involved in the care/April 26, 2004 in this setting
• Did not feel their anxiety was recognized
• Waiting time was acceptable
• Side-effects and long-term treatment not fully explained regarding what happens after radiotherapy is finished

Treatment – Chemotherapy

• Neutral response to clear explanation given regarding information of side-effects
• ‘Nothing could of prepared me for what I went through’

Follow-up

• Multiple clinic visits & communication between them
• Felt always able to ask questions and get a direct answer
• Informative answers
• Waiting time on day of follow-up appointment was too long

Overall care

• Good to be able to contact staff if/when necessary
• Felt well informed
• Given written information and support group information given at the right time