A Personalized Patient Teaching Session at the Time of Radiation Simulation May Improve Patient Satisfaction Scores

Abstract Background Radiation therapy (RT) simulation is an excellent time for patient education. We implemented a comprehensive personalized patient experience-focused (PX) teaching session at the time of simulation and assessed its impact using patient satisfaction scores. Methods From February 2016 to June 2018, a single PX-trained RT therapist met patients at simulation to address and resolve all treatment-related questions. Results from a CMS-approved voluntary patient satisfaction tool were used to assess the impact of this intervention, using tools received during the on-treatment period. Scores from patients contacted by the PX-therapist were compared to those of non-contacted patients. Results 1369 patients were contacted (median contact duration: 23 minutes, range 0 — 117). Of 732 surveys submitted during this time, 98 were from on-treatment patients (69 contacted, 29 not contacted). The majority of contacted patients and survey responders were women (64% and 62%, respectively), breast cancer patients (38%, 41%), and received curative therapy (82%, 69%). Scores from contacted patients were significantly higher for ten of the seventeen questions (registration helpfulness, p=0.03; registration wait time, p=0.048; facility way finding, p=0.03; facility cleanliness, p=0.01; treatment staff skill, p=0.03; treatment staff concern for questions, p=0.003; response to concerns, p=0.01; staff worked together, p=0.01; overall rating of care, p=0.01; and likelihood of recommending care, p=0.04) and four of the five domains (registration, p=0.04; facility, p=0.03; personal issues, p=0.02; overall assessment, p=0.002). Conclusions Contact by a PX-therapist was associated with higher patient satisfaction scores, including areas specifically addressed by the PX teaching session (concerns for questions, response to concerns) as well as other areas (cleanliness, registration wait time).