title: Patient satisfaction with colorectal cancer follow-up system: an audit.
abstract: Although there have been studies into intensive follow-up versus non-intensive follow-up of patients following colorectal surgery, the evidence has not demonstrated sufficient benefit in the intensive follow-up regimen to warrant change in practice nationally, and there are no national guidelines for this. Currently at the authors' hospital the follow-up is non-intensive, and consists of an initial nurse-led surgical follow-up, dedicated patient hotline telephone number, surveillance, symptom list and open access to the nurse-led clinic as required. An audit was carried out to determine patient satisfaction with the current method of follow-up and to identify areas for improvement. The majority of patients (95%) were 'very or fairly' happy with the current service. Areas for improvement were identified. The key point from the survey was that patients would like a follow-up phone call post-diagnosis and 48 hours post-discharge from hospital. This has been implemented since the audit.
authors.affiliation: Colorectal Services, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts, Cambridge.
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sloan
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D004739:England; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000458:organization & administration; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013664:Teaching Materials