Health‐related quality of life and satisfaction with case management in cancer survivors

Aims and objectives To (i) investigate the characteristics of health‐related quality of life and satisfaction with case management and (ii) to identify factors associated with health‐related quality of life in cancer survivors. Background The level of health‐related quality of life can reflect treatment efficacy and satisfaction with cancer care. Design A cross‐sectional study design was adopted. Methods Subjects from the outpatient setting of a cancer centre in northern Taiwan were recruited by consecutive sampling. A set of questionnaires were employed, including a background information form, case management service satisfaction survey (CMSS) and The European Quality of Life Scale (EQ‐5D). Descriptive statistics were used to examine levels of health‐related quality of life and satisfaction with case management. Pearson's correlation was used to identify relationships between treatment characteristics, satisfaction with case management and health‐related quality of life. Multiple stepwise regression was used to identify factors associated with health‐related quality of life. Results A total of 252 cancer patients were recruited. The three lowest scores for items of health‐related quality of life were mobility, self‐care and usual activities. Cancer survivors with higher mobility, less pain and discomfort, and lower anxiety and depression were more likely to have better health‐related quality of life. Conclusion Mobility, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are important predictive factors of high health‐related quality of life in cancer survivors. Relevance to clinical practice In clinical care, patients’ physical mobility, pain and discomfort, and anxiety and depression are important indicators of health‐related quality of life. Case managers should include self‐care and symptom management into survivorship care plans to improve health‐related quality of life during survival after treatment concludes.