Health-related quality of life and satisfaction with case management in cancer survivors.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To (i) investigate the characteristics of health-related quality of life and satisfaction with case management and (ii) to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life in cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND

The level of health-related quality of life can reflect treatment efficacy and satisfaction with cancer care.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study design was adopted.

METHODS

Subjects from the outpatient setting of a cancer centre in northern Taiwan were recruited by consecutive sampling. A set of questionnaires were employed, including a background information form, case management service satisfaction survey (CMSS) and The European Quality of Life Scale (EQ-5D). Descriptive statistics were used to examine levels of health-related quality of life and satisfaction with case management. Pearson's correlation was used to identify relationships between treatment characteristics, satisfaction with case management and health-related quality of life. Multiple stepwise regression was used to identify factors associated with health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 252 cancer patients were recruited. The three lowest scores for items of health-related quality of life were mobility, self-care and usual activities. Cancer survivors with higher mobility, less pain and discomfort, and lower anxiety and depression were more likely to have better health-related quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Mobility, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are important predictive factors of high health-related quality of life in cancer survivors.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

In clinical care, patients' physical mobility, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are important indicators of health-related quality of life. Case managers should include self-care and symptom management into survivorship care plans to improve health-related quality of life during survival after treatment concludes.