Do Survivorship Care Plans Impact Patients’ Evaluations of Care? A Randomized Evaluation with Gynecologic Oncology Patients

Abstract

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Highlights

► Oncologists were randomized to provide/not provide survivorship care plans (SCPs) to gynecologic oncology patients at follow-up.
► Patients rated quality of care similarly regardless if they had/had not received an SCP during recent follow-up visit.
► The need remains for further evaluations of SCPs if they are to be vehicles for improving patient-reported outcomes.

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Objective

Despite recommendations from the Institute of Medicine regarding survivorship care plan (SCP) delivery to cancer patients, there have been few health service outcome evaluations thus far.

Methods

Gynecologic cancer survivors who were up to one-year post-treatment could participate in an evaluation assessing the health services provided and their perceptions of quality of care. A randomized, nested, cross-sectional design was used in a large group gynecologic oncology practice. Half (n = 3) of physicians were randomized to provide and discuss a SCP to patients during a follow-up visit, and the other half did not. Following their visits, all patients were informed that a health services evaluation of the practice was being conducted. Interested patients completed an anonymous 26-item survey assessing administrative, clinical, and educational health services, helpfulness of written materials, and perceptions of quality of care.

Results

Of the 121 survivors surveyed, 64 received SCPs and 57 were in the no-SCP condition. As a validity check, one question asked about educational materials received during the visit with an expected significant difference noted between conditions (X² = 5.513, p = .019; more SCP patients reported receiving materials). However, there were no differences between conditions when patients rated health services (Fs > .37) or helpfulness of materials and perceptions of care (Fs > .19).

Conclusions

Gynecologic oncology patients providing ratings of health services and satisfaction with care provided equivalent evaluations, regardless if they had/ had not received a SCP from the physician. Thus, the need remains for further evaluations of SCPs if they are to be vehicles for improving health service outcomes.