Abstract:
Background: Among patients admitted under general medicine, those with a background of cancer often admitted for non-oncological reasons. Their past experiences and on-going care needs may influence what they expect from hospital care. These un-met needs are not always fully addressed during non-oncological admissions. However, there is limitation of knowing how they perceive their hospital experience outside oncology settings.
Objective: To assess patient-reported satisfaction in individuals with a background of cancer admitted under General Medicine, this will help to identify the gap between the patient’s un-met needs and the current care.
Methods: More than thirty targeted patients completed an anonymised survey for PRO over two months in the General Medical wards at Leicester Royal Infirmary, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The survey focused on communication, responsiveness, pain control, coordination of care, and emotional support, which make it include both quantitative ratings and qualitative comments.
Results: The majority reported their overall hospital experience within the rating of ‘good’. High satisfaction was noted for staff courtesy along with clarity of information. On the other hand, lower scores were associated with emotional support and continuity of care across teams (Oncology and general medicine team). Most of the patients appreciated compassionate communication but often expressed concerns about delays in care coordination.
Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of identifying the un-met needs for cancer-background patients admitted to non-oncology services. While general satisfaction was positive, targeted improvements in holistic support and proper coordination between departments may enhance the inpatient experience. Regular feedback from this patient group is essential to improve targeted patient-cantered care in general medical wards.
