title: Meeting expectations of patients with cancer: relationship between patient satisfaction, depression, and coping.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed satisfaction of patients with cancer and the correlation between patient levels of satisfaction and the sociodemographic, medical, and psychological variables. Satisfaction measures were based on patient expectations for emotional and cognitive support by the oncologists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1,027 patients with cancer were recruited from the outpatient departments and daycare treatment centers of four oncology institutes in Israel. Patient levels of expectations and satisfaction were assessed by using measures developed for this study. Patient psychological variables were assessed by using the Brief Symptoms Inventory, Impact of Events Scale, and Mental Adjustment to Cancer. chi(2) and Student t tests were used to assess differences between the highly satisfied group and the less satisfied group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Lower values of satisfaction were reported on the dimensions that included the patient in the treatment plan and that included explanations to the family. Higher percentages of women, single patients, younger patients, and patients in stages II to III were found in the less satisfied group. This group reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress, anxious preoccupation, and helplessness and lower levels of fighting spirit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the importance of patient satisfaction to treatment compliance, oncologists should consider evaluating patient expectations for support, especially in issues concerning planning the treatment and involving the family in medical decisions. Oncologists should take into account the possible interdependence between psychological variables and medical-care satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: School of Behavioral Sciences, Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Goldzweig
authors.forename: Amichay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meirovitz
authors.forename: Amichai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meirowitz
authors.forename: Ayala
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hubert
authors.forename: Baruch
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: Natalio
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Walach
authors.forename: Shlomit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.forename: Ilanit
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hasson-Ohayon
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Baider
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003863:Depression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological