Improving Patient Experiences in a Haematology and Oncology Day Unit in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cancer treatment is becoming more common in outpatient setting. This trend is projected to continue due to an increase in cancer patients worldwide. Patients may, however, struggle to manage their cancer and achieve desired goals in outpatient settings due to a lack of professional support. Hence, effective communication has been associated with improved adherence to haematology and oncology treatment and improved patient experience and quality of life.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the link between patient experience and special communication with cancer patients who were treated in a day unit for haematology and oncology.
Methods: A pre-post group study was carried out in the haematology and oncology day unit at King Fahad Hospital in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire (PPE-15) before and after communication intervention. Data was then analyzed using a descriptive statistic and paired sample t-test to compare the pre- test and post-test scores.
Results: A total of 70 patients responded, 47% are <= 30 years old, 71% of the patients were female, and 68.5%were Saudi nationals. The study shows a statistical significant in the post-test of Picker Patient Experience Questionnaire (PPE-15) before (M =33.02, SD=5.44) to after communication intervention (M=49.19, SD=6.08), t (67) = -21.021, p < .00.
Conclusion: The communication intervention effectively improved the patient experiences in a haematology and oncology day unit. Therefore, the findings from the current study may serve as an effective strategy to manage patient experience.