Head-And-Neck Cancer Survivorship Clinic Satisfaction Study

This study provides an updated evaluation of patient satisfaction with a newly established head and neck cancer Survivorship Clinic. Follow-up care has traditionally been provided solely by physicians. The Survivorship Clinic transitions patients into a shared model of care provided by a physician assistant with oversight, as needed, from the patients' primary head and neck surgeons. The goal of the Survivorship Clinic is to provide patients with better care. Physicians can focus on managing patients who are newly diagnosed or who have cancer-related issues, and the physician assistant provides survivors with more in-depth care pertaining to their cancer as well as other health-related issues they might have. The purpose of this study was to assess patients' level of satisfaction with and possible areas of concern about the Survivorship Clinic. Patients who remain disease free for at least 24 months and are considered at low risk for recurrence are eligible for the Survivorship Clinic. Patients who transitioned into the clinic were approached in consecutive order to enroll in this study. Participants filled out a short, 8-item survey that addressed overall satisfaction and aspects about the competency and completeness of the care they received. The 4 categorical responses ranged from strongly disagree to strongly agree. No patients declined to participate, although 3 of the 100 enrollees did not return completed surveys. The average age of the 97 participants was 57.0 years, and two-thirds were male. The majority presented with advanced disease (63%), the same percentage that received multimodality therapy. Overall satisfaction was very high. 87% strongly agreed and 13% agreed with the statement “I'm satisfied with the medical care I receive in the Survivorship Clinic.” 89% strongly agreed and 11% agreed that they received competent and complete follow-up care, while 91% strongly agreed and 9% agreed that they would recommend the Survivorship Clinic to other head and neck cancer survivors. Similar levels of satisfaction were reported for items addressing being treated with courtesy/respect, being able to communicate with the physician assistant, and having all medical issues addressed during the visit. Responses to the open-ended item about what patients liked best included peace of mind, how promptly they were seen, and how they got reminders to follow up with their primary care provider. No input was provided on the open-ended item about possible changes that could be made to improve the clinic. Patient satisfaction with the Survivorship Clinic was very high. This feedback supports this new protocol for providing follow-up care to head and neck cancer survivors that is efficient, competent, and complete.