Patients' views of follow-up after treatment for gynaecological cancer

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2009 Feb;29(2):135-42. doi: 10.1080/01443610802646801.

Abstract

This project set out to quantify women's views of routine follow-up. Women attending for routine follow-up after gynaecological cancer completed a questionnaire. A total of 54% (48/89) reported increased anxiety prior to their appointment, and 10% (9/90) still felt more anxious afterwards. Most women (82/92, 89%) preferred to see a hospital doctor, and preferred this to a review by a specialist nurse or general practitioner (p<0.001). Women thought the examination was the most important part of the visit (p<0.0001). Women viewed the specialist nurse's role as listening to concerns and taking blood, rather than detecting recurrence (p<0.0001). Women ranked detection of recurrence as the most important reason for attending for follow-up (p<0.0001). Overall, women think that detection of recurrence is the primary rationale for routine follow-up. Their views need to be taken into consideration when considering changes in the provision of follow-up care.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / psychology
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / surgery
  • Genital Neoplasms, Female / therapy*
  • Health Care Surveys*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse-Patient Relations
  • Patient Compliance
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Physician-Patient Relations