Satisfaction with care in colorectal cancer patients: inpatient versus outpatient study

Background: satisfaction with healthcare is focused on the patient and is known as "patient-centered care":However, user satisfaction is not always synonymous with good care. Healthcare practitioners should determine and understand what patients need and expect in order to improve the quality of care. Aims: the main objective of this study was to determine the perceived quality of care of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in our unit. Methods: a cross-sectional study was performed in all patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) that underwent staging studies and were hospitalized in the Gastroenterology Department from May 2013 to October 2013. Furthermore, outpatients with rapid consultations for CRC staging from November 2013 to November 2014 were also included.Two questionnaires were administered: a) a survey of 20 questions with closed responses regarding the competence of treating physicians and nurses, the information received and the waiting time; b) the European Organization for Research andTreatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-INFO25: information on the disease, medical tests, treatment and other services, with eight single items. Results: there were no differences in the perceived healthcare quality, delays in starting treatment, the tumor stage, symptoms (performance status) or the time spent studying the disease. In-patients and those with advanced disease started treatment earlier than outpatients and those with disease stage I or II. Likewise, outpatients perceived a better psychological support. Conclusions: outpatient study did not reduce the quality of care and did not delay treatment.