title: The impact of gynecologic oncology training in the management of cancer patients: is it really necessary? A prospective cohort study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess patients' perceptions of physician, nurse, and care organization quality of care and services received during hospitalization with or without a sub-specialized setting in gynaecological oncology.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients affected by gynaecologic cancer, referred to the Division of Gynaecology of University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome to underwent to surgery (surgical ward) or to chemotherapy (medical ward) from January 2010 to April 2014, were enrolled. Eligible subjects were divided into two groups: Group A: standard unit care, consisting of doctors and nurses without a specific training and Group B: Expert unit care, consisting of doctors and nurses with specific training in gynecologic oncology. Patients were asked to complete the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cancer Module (QLQ-C30) and the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire (IN-PATSAT32).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The sample (n = 150) is organized into two groups: 78 patients (Group A) and 72 patients (Group B). Analysing the results of IN-PATSAT32, comparing Group A versus Group B, we find statistically significant difference considering doctors' information provision (items 7-9) (p = 0.0470), nurses' technical skills (items 12-14) (p = 0.0369) and nurses' information provision (items 18-20) (p = 0.0089) and general satisfaction (item 32) (p = 0.0214).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study highlights the potential benefits specialty training for doctors and nurses that work in an oncologic ward (surgical or medical). In fact, the necessity for a separate sub-specialty in gynaecological oncology and a distinct training programme may be the key to achieve the higher satisfaction in this setting of patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Plotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: s.capriglione@unicampus.it.
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Capriglione
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Scaletta
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aloisi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Luvero
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ricciardi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Corrado
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terranova
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: De Cicco Nardone
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Campus Bio Medico University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Angioli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Gynecologic oncology; Quality of life; Subspecialty; Training