Cancer patients' satisfaction with communication and information given by nurses at teaching hospitals of Tehran, Iran

ABSTRACT

Effective patient-professional communication can be of crucial importance to long-term psycho-social outcomes in patients with cancer. A cross sectional study was conducted to examine cancer patients' satisfaction with regard to various aspects of communication and information given by nurses. A proportional stratified sampling method was done and data collected via face-to-face interview based on a validated Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire [PSQ] during a 3 month period. A total of 384 patients aged 14 years old and above were selected. The majority of respondents were males [52.3%] and married [66.4%], working [52.6%] and age group 45-54 year [26.6%] with secondary education level [44.8%], and 53.1% of them admitted at teaching hospitals of government A University of Medical Science. The findings revealed that a vast majority of respondents [81.5%] were satisfied with communication and information given by nurses, while the others [18.5%] not. There was significant relationship between patients' satisfaction and age group [p age groups of 15-44 years old and married patients were the best predictors for level of cancer patients' satisfaction with communication, and information given by nurses. Key findings are a number of issues with regard to information and communication which can be clearly improved within teaching hospitals of in Tehran city. The study concluded that patient- professional communication should be tailored to meet individual need