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Exploring patient experiences of cancer care in Northern Ireland: A thematic analysis of free-text responses to the 2018 Northern Ireland Patient Experience Survey (NICPES)
- Source :
- BMC Health Services Research, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021), Prue, G, O'Connor, D, Brown, M & Santin, O 2021, ' Exploring patient experiences of cancer care in Northern Ireland: A thematic analysis of free-text responses to the 2018 Northern Ireland Patient Experience Survey (NICPES) ', BMC Health Services Research, vol. 21, 564 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06577-z, BMC Health Services Research
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- BMC, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background Cancer diagnosis, treatment and survivorship is multifaceted, and the cancer patient experience can serve as a key indicator of healthcare performance and quality. The purpose of this paper was to analyse free-text responses from the second Northern Ireland Cancer Patient Experience Survey (NICPES) in 2018, to understand experiences of care, emerging themes and identify areas for improvement. Methods A 72-item questionnaire (relating to clinical care experience, socio-demographics and 3 free-text questions) was distributed to all Health & Social Care Northern Ireland patients that met the inclusion criteria (≥ 16 years old; confirmed primary diagnosis of cancer and discharged between 1st May and 31st October 2017) in June 2018. Participants could complete the questionnaire online or access a free telephone support line if required. Open-ended free text responses were analysed thematically to identify common themes. Free text responses were divided into positive or negative comments. Results In total, 3,748 people responded to the survey, with 2,416 leaving at least one free text comment (69 %). Women aged 55–74 years were most likely to comment. Overall, 3,644 comments were left across the three comments boxes, which were categorised as either positive (2,462 comments; 68 %) or negative / area for improvement (1,182 comments; 32 %). Analysis of free text responses identified six common themes (staff; speed [diagnosis and treatment]; safety; system; support services and specific concerns), which were all related to the overarching theme of survival. Staff was the largest single theme (1,458 responses) with overwhelmingly positive comments (1,322 responses; 91 %), whilst safety (296 negative comments; 70 %) and system (340 negative comments; 81 %) were predominantly negative. Negative comments relating to primary care, aftercare and the cancer system were reported. Conclusions The high response rate to the free text comments indicates patients were motivated to engage. Analysis indicates most comments provided were positive in nature. Most survey respondents reported a positive experience in relation to staff. However, there were a number of areas for improvement including the aftercare experience, and a perceived disconnect between primary care and cancer services. These results can help inform the effective delivery of cancer services in Northern Ireland.
- Subjects :
- Patient experience
medicine.medical_specialty
Adolescent
education
Northern Ireland
Health administration
SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Survivorship curve
Neoplasms
Surveys and Questionnaires
Health care
medicine
Humans
Survey
Cancer
Response rate (survey)
Text Messaging
business.industry
Health Policy
Nursing research
Public health
Thematic analysis
Patient Outcome Assessment
Patient Satisfaction
Family medicine
Female
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
business
Research Article
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14726963
- Volume :
- 21
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC Health Services Research
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....beaed6755025090d498b9db52cdea6db