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BackgroundData from surveys of patient care experiences are a cornerstone of public reporting and pay-for-performance initiatives. Recently, increasing concerns have been raised about survey response rates and how to promote equity by ensuring that responses represent the perspectives of all patients.ObjectiveReview evidence on survey administration strategies to improve response rates and representativeness of patient surveys.Research designSystematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.Study selectionForty peer-reviewed randomized experiments of administration protocols for patient experience surveys.ResultsMail administration with telephone follow-up provides a median response rate benefit of 13% compared with mail-only or telephone-only. While surveys administered only by web typically result in lower response rates than those administered by mail or telephone (median difference in response rate: -21%, range: -44%, 0%), the limited evidence for a sequential web-mail-telephone mode suggests a potential response rate benefit over sequential mail-telephone (median: 4%, range: 2%, 5%). Telephone-only and sequential mixed modes including telephone may yield better representation across patient subgroups by age, insurance type, and race/ethnicity. Monetary incentives are associated with large increases in response rates (median increase: 12%, range: 7%, 20%).ConclusionsSequential mixed-mode administration yields higher patient survey response rates than a single mode. Including telephone in sequential mixed-mode administration improves response among those with historically lower response rates; including web in mixed-mode administration may increase response at lower cost. Other promising strategies to improve response rates include in-person survey administration during hospital discharge, incentives, minimizing survey language complexity, and prenotification before survey administration.

Purpose: Patients with cancer are using cannabis for self-treatment. The reasons, experienced effects, and prevalence of use are unknown in the European general oncological population. Methods: Adult patients with cancer attending outpatient oncology clinics were invited to participate in a cross-sectional survey. The questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic questions, validated scales on quality of life, neuropathy, anxiety and depression as well as questions regarding use of cannabis. Results: The overall response rate was 83% (2839 patients) and 13% of patients were using or had used cannabis during their treatment. Rate of use was higher in smokers (19% vs 11%, p adjusted 0.002), in patients in active cancer treatment (14% vs 10%, p adjusted = 0.02), and in patients with depression (19% vs 11%, adjusted p = 0.002). Cannabis use was also correlated with lower quality of life (EORTC C30 SumScore mean diff. = − 7.61, 95% CI = [− 9.69; − 5.53]). In total, 77% of users experienced at least one positive effect of cannabis, 18% experienced no effect, and 5% experienced other effects. At least one side effect was experienced by 33% of users. Management of pain and nausea were the primary reasons for initiating cannabis use (39% for both). Less nausea and better sleep were the most common effects experienced (26% for both). Oils for oral use were the most common route of administration (88%). Conclusion: Cannabis use among patients with cancer is prevalent and correlated with worse quality of life. Patients report using cannabis for symptom management and many experience relief of their symptoms. However, one third of patients experienced side effects.

Background Demand for public hospital emergency departments’ services and care is increasing, placing considerable restraint on their performance and threatens patient safety. Many factors influence such demand including individual characteristics (e.g. perceptions, knowledge, values and norms), healthcare availability, affordability and accessibility, population aging, and internal health system factors (e.g patient flow, discharge process). To alleviate demand, many initiatives have been trialled or suggested, including early identification of at-risk patients, better management of chronic disease to reduce avoidable ED presentation, expanded capacity of front-line clinician to manage sub-acute and non-urgent care, improved hospital flow to reduce access block, and diversion to alternate site for care. However, none have had any major or sustained impact on the growth in ED demand. A major focus of the public discourse on ED demand has been the use and integration of primary healthcare and ED, based on the assumption that between 10%–25% of ED presentations are potentially avoidable if patients’ access to appropriate primary healthcare (PHC) services were enhanced. However, this requires not only improved access but also appropriateness in terms of the patients’ preference and PHC providers’ capacity to address the needs. What is not known at the moment is the extent of the potential for diversion of non-urgent ED patients to PHC and the cost-benefits of such policy and funding changes required, particularly in the Australian context. There is a need to better understand ED patients’ needs and capacity constraint so as to effect delivery of accessible, affordable, efficient and responsive services. Aim and objectives The main aim of this study was to investigate, from a whole-of-system perspective, the suitability, features and viability of primary healthcare (PHC) as an alternative to emergency department (ED) care for non-urgent acute illness.

[Abstract] Aim: To assess the experience with health care among patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and to evaluate patients' demographic variables and healthcare-related characteristics which may affect their experience. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was delivered to T2DM adults. Patient experiences were assessed with the 'Instrument for Evaluation of the Experience of Chronic Patients' (IEXPAC) questionnaire, a validated 12-item survey, which describes patient experience within the last 6 months (items 1-11) and hospitalization in the last 3 years (item 12), with possible scores ranging from 0 (worst) to 10 (best experience). Results: A total of 451 T2DM patients responded to the survey (response rate 72.3%; mean age 69.5 ± 10.1 years, 67.8% men). The mean overall IEXPAC score was 5.92 ± 1.80. Mean scores were higher for productive interactions (7.92 ± 2.15) and self-management (7.08 ± 2.27) than for new relational model (1.72 ± 2.01). Only 32.8% of patients who had been hospitalized in the past 3 years reported having received a follow-up call or visit after discharge. Multivariate analyses identified that regular follow-up by the same physician and follow-up by a nurse were associated with a better patient experience. Continuity of healthcare score was higher only in those patients requiring help from others. Conclusions: The areas of T2DM care which may need to be addressed to ensure better patient experience are use of the Internet, new technologies and social resources for patient information and interaction with healthcare professionals, closer follow-up after hospitalization, and a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach with regular follow-up by the same physician and a nurse.

[Abstract] Background: Patients' experience with health care is becoming a key component for the provision of a patient-centered health care model. The aim of this study was to assess the experience with health care of patients with inflammatory arthritis and patient- and health care-related factors. Methods: Patients responded to an anonymous survey provided by their treating clinical teams. The survey comprised the validated 12-item IEXPAC (Instrument to Evaluate the EXperience of PAtients with Chronic diseases) tool and demographic variables and health care-related characteristics that may affect patients' experience. Results: A total of 359 of 625 surveys were returned (response rate, 57.4%). Overall, patient responses were positive (>60% gave "always/mostly" answers) for statements assessing the interaction between patients and health care professionals or patient self-management following health care professional guidance. However, positive patient responses for items regarding patient interaction with the health care system via the internet or with other patients were less than 13%. Only 25.6% of patients who had been hospitalized reported receiving a follow-up call or visit following discharge. In the bivariate analysis, experience scores were higher (better experience) in men, those seen by fewer specialists or by the same physician, and in patients treated with a fewer number of drugs or with subcutaneous/intravenous drugs. Multivariate analyses identified regular follow-up by the same physician and treatment with subcutaneous/intravenous drugs as variables associated with a better patient experience. Conclusions: This study identifies areas of care for patients with inflammatory arthritis with the potential to improve patients' experience and highlights the importance of patient-physician relationships and comprehensive patient care.

This study involved an age-period-cohort analysis of the consultation rate and prevalence of dyslipidemia in Japan, based on Patient Survey data from 1999 to 2017 and open data of national database of health insurance claims and specific health checkups in Japan from 2013 to 2016. Our results showed that the consultation rates were lower than the prevalence, regardless of age, year, and sex, and particularly among middle-aged and male respondents. Additionally, both the consultation rate and prevalence increased with increasing age to a greater extent among women than men, and the degree of increase in the consultation rate was larger than that in prevalence among women. Furthermore, although the cohort effect on prevalence began to decrease among men in cohorts born in approximately 1960, the effect decreased among women in cohorts born between the 1930s and 1960s and exhibited an increasing trend thereafter.

Background: The decision to attempt or refrain from resuscitation is preferably based on prognostic factors for outcome and subsequently communicated with patients. Both patients and physicians consider good communication important, however little is known about patient involvement in and understanding of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) directives. Aim: To determine the prevalence of Do Not

Patient satisfaction is of growing interest to the medical field. Qualities essential to patient satisfaction with primary care providers have been characterized, but little work has been done to assess factors that affect patient satisfaction in dermatology. The objective of this study was to determine factors essential to patient satisfaction in dermatology. Qualitative data from an online survey were collected and organized thematically. Themes studied include the character of the physician, communication, time, care, and qualities of the office staff. Doctors with good character who communicated effectively and spent sufficient time with patients received high satisfaction. An efficient and friendly office staff also contributed to high satisfaction. Poor patient satisfaction was mainly linked to flaws in physician demeanor, lack of communication, and rushed appointments. A limitation to the study included potential bias of an online survey sample, although the widespread use of the tool to capture more respondents in dermatology may mitigate this limitation. To achieve high patient satisfaction, it is vital that a physician is cognizant of the profound effects of how his or her character, communication style, time investment and office staff appear to patients, as patients consider these factors in addition to clinical outcomes when evaluating physicians.

PurposeTo evaluate if there is a selection bias in drug utilization surveys on prescription drugs regularly conducted in Swedish pharmacies, to describe the direction of this potential bias and discuss the implications for the results. MethodsAge and gender distributions within patient survey samples from drug utilization surveys conducted during 2006-2010 are compared to the age and gender distribution of all Swedish patients, receiving the same drug or drugs, as given by the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. The differences between the proportions of patients within the age and gender segments of each pair of survey/register data were calculated. ResultsIn 25 (81%) out of 31 included surveys, patients aged 75 years or older are significantly underrepresented, as they are less likely to visit the pharmacy to collect their prescription drugs themselves and thus disqualify for the interviews. Data on women show similar results as overall survey data, whereas the underrepresentation of the oldest age group among men appears in a lower proportion of the surveys, 67%. The general consequence is a selection towards a healthier survey sample, but the consequences in the individual surveys vary, depending on what drug is being studied. ConclusionPharmacy-based patient surveys provide a convenient data collection method for patient self-reported data, but patients aged 75 years or older are consistently underrepresented. In surveys where this may influence the main research question, data should also be collected with other methods reaching the oldest patients.

Im Frühjahr/Sommer 2002 wurde eine Befragung von 51 erwachsenen Patienten im Raum Berlin-Brandenburg mit seltenen Muskelerkrankungen bzw. neuromuskulären Erkrankungen zu verschiedenen Aspekten der medizinischen Versorgung durchgeführt. Angewandte Methoden waren ein standardisierter Fragebogen sowie ein Leitfadeninterview. Vom ersten Arztbesuch bis zur in 59% der Fälle im Krankenhaus erfolgten Diagnosestellung einer Muskelerkrankung vergingen durchschnittlich 4,1 Jahre (Median: 1 Jahr). Es fanden sich eine unzureichende Anamneseerhebung und körperliche Untersuchung sowie eine mangelnde Überweisungsbereitschaft an Neurologen. Eine signifikante Verzögerung erlitten Patienten, die anstelle eines Hausarztes zunächst einen anderen Facharzt als den Neurologen aufgesucht hatten. 43% der Patienten hatten Schwierigkeiten, im Anschluss einen kompetenten Arzt für die Langzeitbetreuung zu finden. Fragen der Vererbbarkeit sowie der respiratorischen und kardialen Komplikationen wurden unzu! reichend besprochen. Im Verlauf erfolgte eine mangelnde Überwachung der respiratorischen sowie kardialen Funktion. Die Verordnung von Physiotherapie und Hilfsmitteln wurde dagegen gut bewertet. Bei 51% der Patienten kam es auch nach der Diagnosestellung zu Krankenhausaufenthalten. 22% der Patienten mussten wegen Komplikationen stationär behandelt werden. Insgesamt zeigten sich Defizite in der medizinischen Versorgung, wie sie z.T. bereits in Expertenstellungnahmen bzw. wenigen anderen Studien berichtet wurden. Für den Bereich der seltenen Erkrankungen gilt eine Spezialambulanz als geeignetes Versorgungsmodell, welches die spezialisierte, multidisziplinäre Betreuung der Patienten sichern soll. Solche Einrichtungen existieren mittlerweile in Deutschland, Outcome-Studien fehlen jedoch bisher., In spring/summer 2002 a group of 51 adult patients in Berlin-Brandenburg suffering from a muscle or a neuromuscular disease were questioned concerning various aspects of their medical care. The applied methods were a standardized questionnaire and a qualitative interview. The average time between the first consultation of a physician and the establishment of the diagnosis of a muscle disease was 4,1 years (median: 1 year). 59% of the patients received their diagnosis at a hospital. An insufficient history-taking, lacks in the physical examination and a reluctance to refer the patient to a neurologist could be identified. There was a significant delay for those patients who initially consulted a non-neurological specialist instead of a general physician. 43% of the patients had difficulties in finding a qualified physician for the long-time care. The patients were insufficiently informed about the heredity of their disease and about possible respiratory and cardiac complicati! ons. There was a lack in following up the respiratory and cardiac functions of the patients. The prescription of physiotherapy and aids was rated positively by the patients. 51% of the patients had hospital stays also after having their diagnosis. 22% were admitted to hospital due to complications of their disease. In general, deficits in the medical care for these patients were shown, similar to those described in expert opinions or few preview studies. A specialized hospital-based outpatient centre that should ensure the specialized multidisciplinary care for the patients is regarded as the model for the medical care in the area of rare diseases. Similar centres exist in Germany by now, but there are no outcome-studies yet.

Im Frühjahr/Sommer 2002 wurde eine Befragung von 51 erwachsenen Patienten im Raum Berlin-Brandenburg mit seltenen Muskelerkrankungen bzw. neuromuskulären Erkrankungen zu verschiedenen Aspekten der medizinischen Versorgung durchgeführt. Angewandte Methoden waren ein standardisierter Fragebogen sowie ein Leitfadeninterview. Vom ersten Arztbesuch bis zur in 59% der Fälle im Krankenhaus erfolgten Diagnosestellung einer Muskelerkrankung vergingen durchschnittlich 4,1 Jahre (Median: 1 Jahr). Es fanden sich eine unzureichende Anamneseerhebung und körperliche Untersuchung sowie eine mangelnde Überweisungsbereitschaft an Neurologen. Eine signifikante Verzögerung erlitten Patienten, die anstelle eines Hausarztes zunächst einen anderen Facharzt als den Neurologen aufgesucht hatten. 43% der Patienten hatten Schwierigkeiten, im Anschluss einen kompetenten Arzt für die Langzeitbetreuung zu finden. Fragen der Vererbbarkeit sowie der respiratorischen und kardialen Komplikationen wurden unzu! reichend besprochen. Im Verlauf erfolgte eine mangelnde Überwachung der respiratorischen sowie kardialen Funktion. Die Verordnung von Physiotherapie und Hilfsmitteln wurde dagegen gut bewertet. Bei 51% der Patienten kam es auch nach der Diagnosestellung zu Krankenhausaufenthalten. 22% der Patienten mussten wegen Komplikationen stationär behandelt werden. Insgesamt zeigten sich Defizite in der medizinischen Versorgung, wie sie z.T. bereits in Expertenstellungnahmen bzw. wenigen anderen Studien berichtet wurden. Für den Bereich der seltenen Erkrankungen gilt eine Spezialambulanz als geeignetes Versorgungsmodell, welches die spezialisierte, multidisziplinäre Betreuung der Patienten sichern soll. Solche Einrichtungen existieren mittlerweile in Deutschland, Outcome-Studien fehlen jedoch bisher., In spring/summer 2002 a group of 51 adult patients in Berlin-Brandenburg suffering from a muscle or a neuromuscular disease were questioned concerning various aspects of their medical care. The applied methods were a standardized questionnaire and a qualitative interview. The average time between the first consultation of a physician and the establishment of the diagnosis of a muscle disease was 4,1 years (median: 1 year). 59% of the patients received their diagnosis at a hospital. An insufficient history-taking, lacks in the physical examination and a reluctance to refer the patient to a neurologist could be identified. There was a significant delay for those patients who initially consulted a non-neurological specialist instead of a general physician. 43% of the patients had difficulties in finding a qualified physician for the long-time care. The patients were insufficiently informed about the heredity of their disease and about possible respiratory and cardiac complicati! ons. There was a lack in following up the respiratory and cardiac functions of the patients. The prescription of physiotherapy and aids was rated positively by the patients. 51% of the patients had hospital stays also after having their diagnosis. 22% were admitted to hospital due to complications of their disease. In general, deficits in the medical care for these patients were shown, similar to those described in expert opinions or few preview studies. A specialized hospital-based outpatient centre that should ensure the specialized multidisciplinary care for the patients is regarded as the model for the medical care in the area of rare diseases. Similar centres exist in Germany by now, but there are no outcome-studies yet.

This paper reports on the findings of the largest ever European survey of female patients' perceptions of their cancer treatment. It has provided clarification of what women consider important in relation to their management and has identified several areas where more research is needed. It has shown that women's knowledge about cancer before diagnosis is poor and the number undergoing regular screening could be improved. Women are not being adequately prepared and educated about what to expect from treatment and steps should be taken as a matter of urgency to redress this shortcoming. It was revealed that whilst families were the primary source of support to female cancer patients, women also derive considerable support from healthcare professionals, particularly senior doctors; more attention should be paid by specialists and nurses to developing psychological skills to cope with this. In this context, further research is needed into how support groups may best meet patient needs. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

This paper reports on the findings of the largest ever European survey of female patients' perceptions of their cancer treatment. It has provided clarification of what women consider important in relation to their management and has identified several areas where more research is needed. It has shown that women's knowledge about cancer before diagnosis is poor and the number undergoing regular screening could be improved. Women are not being adequately prepared and educated about what to expect from treatment and steps should be taken as a matter of urgency to redress this shortcoming. It was revealed that whilst families were the primary source of support to female cancer patients, women also derive considerable support from healthcare professionals, particularly senior doctors; more attention should be paid by specialists and nurses to developing psychological skills to cope with this. In this context, further research is needed into how support groups may best meet patient needs. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd., SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published