Understanding patient experiences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A quasi-experimental comparison of in-person and virtual cancer care
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the immediate widespread implementation of virtual care appointments in Cancer Care Alberta (CCA). This study aimed to compare patient experiences and satisfaction with in-person care provided prior to the pandemic and virtual care provided after the COVID-19 outbreak. Surveys were conducted to compare patient satisfaction, using the Your Voice Matters (YVM) experience survey, between patients in the pre-pandemic in-person (baseline) and post-outbreak (virtual) cohorts. Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) with an ordinal logistic link were used, adjusting for self-reported health status and other covariates, to investigate the association between cohort type and patient satisfaction. Despite having higher overall health status, the virtual cohort reported statistically significantly lower satisfaction than the baseline with emotional concerns, referrals and resources, and friend/family involvement in their care. Patients in the virtual cohort were much less likely to have completed a routinely used symptom-based Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) questionnaire, which may help explain satisfaction differences. The additional stressors brought about by the pandemic, as well as the mode of virtual care delivery, both likely contributed to the lower satisfaction of the virtual cohort as well. Understanding the key differences in experience between the two cohorts will inform the development of a larger virtual care strategy within CCA in the future.
Related content
-
Innovation & Technology
Capturing Real-Time Feedback through Patient Text Messaging
Real-time feedback using digital technology allows an opportunity to improve the care experience of patients while they are still in your care and before they receive any surveys about their hospital stay. Learn how patient texting at Houston Methodist led to greater connections with patients and families, built trust and loyalty and improved HCAHPS scores
Learn more -
Innovation & Technology | Patient Family & Community Engagement
The Future of Patient Experience: Creating a Predictive Algorithm
Discover how a group of organizations embarked on a journey to create a predictive patient experience algorithm to predict if patients are having positive or negative experiences in real-time.
Learn more -
Culture & Leadership | Innovation & Technology | Patient Family & Community Engagement | Quality & Clinical Excellence
From Words to Wellness: Promoting Health Equity through Translation
This webinar will explore the critical intersection of language access and health equity. This engaging event will cover a range of topics, including: Language Barriers: Address the challenges posed by language barriers and their impact on healthcare access and outcomes. Translation Technology: Discover advancements in translation technology and how they are revolutionizing communication in healthcare.
Learn more