Advance Approval of Outpatient Chemotherapy via Phone Call Optimizes Healthcare Delivery without Compromising Patient Satisfaction with Care

摘要

Patient satisfaction is a key parameter of care quality. Among oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT), the long waiting times associated with frequent and prolonged consultations have been shown to be a major source of dissatisfaction. The aim of this study was to determine whether advance approval of outpatient CT via phone call the day before CT can optimize healthcare delivery without compromising patient satisfaction with care. Our results showed that the satisfaction level with physicians regarding technical skills, interpersonal skills, and availability were not decreased in patients who did not receive a face-to-face consultation with an oncologist the day of CT. We also found that waiting times were reduced for patients who were treated according to the advance approval procedure. These findings suggest that advanced approval of outpatient CT via phone call is a feasible alternative that does not compromise patient satisfaction with care.