Patient satisfaction and health-related quality of life after treatment for colon cancer.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

Health-related quality of life has become an important outcome in cancer treatment. Detailed health-related quality of life measures were taken as part of a trial of follow-up of patients with colon cancer by general practitioners and surgeons. This study was designed as a longitudinal assessment of health-related quality of life after treatment for carcinoma of the colon and patient satisfaction with two different settings of follow-up (general practitioners vs. surgeons).

METHODS:

A total of 338 patients were recruited into randomized (n = 203) and patient preference (n = 135) follow-up groups. Prospectively assessed physical and mental health-related quality of life measures and patient satisfaction are reported during two years.

RESULTS:

Elderly and less educated patients prefer follow-up by general practitioners over surgeons. Overall, physical health-related quality of life is reduced early after treatment; however, this returns to normal levels at one year. Mental quality of life, anxiety, and depression are at or above population levels throughout the two-year follow-up period. There were no differences in physical or psychologic health-related quality of life measures between general practitioner and surgeon groups at any time during follow-up. Overall, more advanced Dukes stage is associated with a trend to improved mental health-related quality of life. Patients' ability to choose the setting of follow-up has no influence on health-related quality of life compared with random allocation to general practitioner or surgeon. Patients are equally highly satisfied with follow-up by general practitioner or surgeon.

CONCLUSIONS:

After recovery from treatment for colon cancer, health-related quality of life is similar to the general population. Good health-related quality of life outcomes and high patient satisfaction are as well provided by general practitioners in the community setting as by surgeon review.

• Authors: Carey A Gall, David Weller, Adrian Esterman, Louis Pilotto, Kelly McGorm, Zoe Hammett, David Wattchow
• Journal: Diseases of the colon and rectum (Dis Colon Rectum) Vol. 50 Issue 6 Pg. 801-9 (Jun 2007) ISSN: 0012-3706 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17285234 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Anxiety (epidemiology)
• Australia (epidemiology)
• Colonic Neoplasms (pathology, psychology)
• Colorectal Surgery
• Continuity of Patient Care
• Depression (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Patient Satisfaction
• Physicians, Family
• Prospective Studies
• Quality of Life
• Sex Factors