Cancer Patients Report Higher Quality of Care Than Canadian Average

Nova Scotia cancer patients have once again rated their overall quality of care higher than patients in other Canadian provinces, according to survey results announced today, March 29, by Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

Findings show that 78 per cent of respondents from the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in Sydney and 71 per cent of patients from the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre in Halifax reported their experience as excellent, very good or good. These percentages exceed the Canadian average of 68.5 per cent.

The survey also shows that 98.5 per cent of Nova Scotia cancer patients considered their overall quality of care, in the six months prior to being surveyed, to be excellent, very good or good. This compares with the Canadian average of 97 per cent.

"Clearly, as Nova Scotians, we are doing something right, and Cape Breton is leading the way," said Premier Rodney MacDonald. "I applaud all cancer health professionals for their commitment to Nova Scotian cancer patients and their families."

"As a health professional, I believe there is no greater satisfaction than hearing from patients that you are meeting their needs," said Dr. Andrew Padmos, commissioner, Cancer Care Nova Scotia. "In Nova Scotia, we are fortunate to have teams of highly competent, compassionate caregivers that are committed to providing their patients with the highest quality of care possible. These survey results are a testament to their impact on patients."

Nova Scotia cancer patients rated their experience higher than the Canadian average in all categories including: access to care, information, communication and education; respect for patient preferences; emotional support; physical comfort; and co-ordination and continuity of care.

"Cancer patients have told us directly that they are receiving the kind of compassion and quality care that they need in what must be a very emotional time in their lives. It is a true testament to the staff who are on the front lines," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont.

"Cancer patient satisfaction in Cape Breton is at an all-time high," said Dr. Padmos. "Health professionals at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre have reason to be extremely proud, especially since Cape Breton patients reported the highest degree of satisfaction in every category for the second year in a row, over all Canadian facilities surveyed."

Patients noted increased satisfaction in areas including pain management, consideration of travel concerns, and consideration of living situation when planning treatment visits.

In 2005, 81.4 per cent of Nova Scotia patients surveyed indicated that health professionals made every effort to manage their pain, compared with 67 per cent of those surveyed in 2004. The Canadian average is 72.5 per cent.

In the category dealing with consideration of living situation in treatment planning, 69.1 per cent of Nova Scotia patients reported high satisfaction, compared with 61.7 per cent in 2004. The Canadian average is 62.8 per cent. In the area pertaining to consideration of travel in planning treatment, 69.6 per cent of Nova Scotia patients reported high satisfaction, compared with 60.8 per cent last year. The Canadian average is 62.3 per cent.

Enhanced satisfaction in the above areas may, in part, be a result of Cancer Care Nova Scotia's development and introduction of Excellence in Cancer Care, a suite of continuing health- professional education programs, which covers pain and symptom management, among other topics.

In addition, Cancer Care Nova Scotia's Cancer Patient Navigation Program has proven effective in providing education to patients and families and supporting them through the cancer journey in many ways, among them co-ordinating treatment planning.

Areas identified for improvement included: emotional support; co-ordination of care; and information, communication and education.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia, in partnership with the Cape Breton District Health Authority and Capital Health, contracted NRC Picker to conduct the Cancer Patient Satisfaction Survey. The survey was conducted during the fall of 2005. All patients, 18 years and older, who had received outpatient treatment at either the Cape Breton Cancer Centre or the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre were given an opportunity to participate. Four hundred and forty-five Nova Scotians completed the survey.

Cancer Care Nova Scotia is a program of the Department of Health, created to reduce the burden of cancer on individuals, families and the health care system through prevention, screening, education and research.