N.S. Cancer Care Quality Higher Than Canadian Average

Nova Scotia cancer patients have again rated their quality of care higher than the national average, according to survey results announced today, April 10, by Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

More than 98 per cent of respondents from the Cape Breton Cancer Centre in Sydney, 98.6 per cent from the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre in Halifax and all respondents visiting satellite oncology sites reported their experience as excellent, very good or good. The Canadian average is 97 per cent.

The overall Nova Scotia response was higher than the Canadian average in all six areas surveyed. There was also significant improvement from the 2005 survey in responses about time patients spent in the waiting room before their treatments. The improvements were driven by improved scores at the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre.

In five of six groups of questions in the survey, the Cape Breton Cancer Centre scored the highest in the country. In the other area, access to care, it scored 82.1 per cent, 0.5 per cent below the Canadian high performer of 82.6 per cent.

Nova Scotia cancer patients rated their experience higher than the Canadian average in all categories: overall impressions, emotional support, co-ordination and continuity of care, respect for patient preferences, access to care (not related to waiting times) and information/communication/education.

"The results of this survey show the high calibre of staff and government commitment to ensuring quality cancer treatment for Nova Scotians," said Health Minister Chris d'Entremont. "Programs like patient navigation, satellite oncology and continuing education for health professionals are helping to ensure that Nova Scotians have access to the best care possible."

Theresa Marie Underhill, chief operating officer, Cancer Care Nova Scotia, said the survey results are striking.

"As our health system is challenged to meet the increasing number of cancer patients and the growing complexity of care in the face of staff shortages, it is remarkable indeed that we, as a province, can achieve such impressive results," said Ms. Underhill.

"As the provincial cancer program responsible for ensuring high-quality cancer treatment and care, hearing from patients that we are meeting the mark is truly gratifying."

Patient satisfaction increased with wait times for a first treatment appointment, once a treatment plan was known, and waiting-room time before chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Satisfaction in other areas, with the exception of consideration of patient living situations when planning treatment, remained consistent with 2005 results. Improvements in pain management in 2005, as compared with 2004 results, were maintained in the latest survey.

In 2007, satellite oncology clinics were expanded and standardized. For the first time, the survey was expanded to include patients at those clinics.

Patients were asked to rate three things that are most important to them in cancer care. Receiving treatment close to home (43.7 per cent) and access to expert cancer treatment (42.7 per cent) were the top responses. For patients who received chemotherapy at a facility other than a cancer centre, treatment close to home was most important (66.9 per cent).

"As a cancer specialist, there is no greater reward than hearing you are meeting patients' needs," said Dr. Wojciech Morzycki, medical oncologist, Capital Health Cancer Care Program and visiting oncologist at the satellite oncology site at Aberdeen Hospital in New Glasgow.

"We see, first-hand, the tremendous toll cancer has on patients and families. Knowing we are helping to ease their burden by travelling to communities closer to them for appointments, makes the challenges of doing so worthwhile."

Ms. Underhill said the high degree and consistency of satisfaction reported by patients over the last four years speaks to the quality of care provided by health professionals across the province. Their ability to meet patient needs has been enhanced by guidelines and standards developed by Cancer Care Nova Scotia to ensure consistency in patient care. Continuing education programs for health professionals that address pain and symptom management, among other topics, has also helped.

The Cancer Patient Navigation program has also effectively provided education to patients and families and supported them in a number of ways, including co-ordinating treatment planning.

An area identified for improvement is the need to provide patients with access to professions to help them address their anxiety, fears and other emotional-support issues. Cancer Care Nova Scotia is developing guidelines for managing distress in cancer patients to help meet this need.

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 between February and October 2007. Patients, 18 years and older, who received outpatient treatment at the Cape Breton Cancer Centre, the Nova Scotia Cancer Centre or any of the satellite oncology sites, were asked to participate, with 2,011 completing 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.