Medical oncology patients' preferences with regard to health care: development of a patient-driven questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
To improve quality of care for cancer patients, it is important to have an insight on the patient's view on health care and on their specific wishes, needs and preferences, without restriction and without influence of researchers and health care providers. The aim of this study was to develop a questionnaire assessing medical oncology patients' preferences for health care based on their own input.


METHODS
Items were generated using 10 focus group interviews with 51 cancer patients. A preliminary questionnaire was handed out to 681 patients of seven Dutch departments of medical oncology. Explorative factor analysis was carried out on the 386 returned questionnaires (response 57%).


RESULTS
Focus group interviews resulted in a preliminary questionnaire containing 136 items. Explorative factor analysis resulted in a definitive questionnaire containing 123 items (21 scales and eight single items). Patients rated expertise, safety, performance and attitude of physicians and nurses as the most important issues in cancer care.


CONCLUSIONS
This questionnaire may be used to assess preferences of cancer patients and to come to a tailored approach of health care that meets patients' wishes and needs.
Wessels
H
H
Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Heidelberglaan, Utrecht.
de Graeff
A
A
Wynia
K
K
Sixma
H J
HJ
de Heus
M
M
Schipper
M
M
Woltjer
G T G J
GT
Teunissen
S C C M
SC
Voest
E E
EE
D017677:Age Distribution; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008495:Medical Oncology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009426:Netherlands; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018579:Patient Selection; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires