“I Feel I’m in Best Hands with You!”: A Survey of Patient Satisfac­tion in a German University Skin Cancer Centre

• Published in: Acta dermato-venereologica 2021-06, Vol.101 (6), p.adv00482-adv00482
• Main Authors: Steeb, T, Wessely, A, Merkl, H, Kirchberger, M, Voskens, C, Erdmann, M, Heinzerling, L, Berking, C, Heppt, M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: cross-sectional study; melanoma; patient satisfaction; quality improvement; quality of care; skin cancer
• ISSN: 1651-2057; 0001-5555; 1651-2057
• DOI: 10.2340/00015555-3837

An important measure of hospital quality is the satisfaction of patients. The aim of this cross-sectional study, performed in the dermato-oncology unit of the university hospital in Erlangen, Germany, was to assess skin cancer patients’ degree of satisfaction with healthcare services. Self-administered questionnaires on patient satisfaction regarding contact with staff, need for information, and recommendation of the skin cancer centre were distributed in the day-care unit and the outpatient department to patients between April and June 2017. Results were reported descriptively and subgroup differences were explored using the Mann–Whitney U test, binary logistic regression, or χ2 test. Overall, 496 of 571 questionnaires were returned (86.9%). The median of all satisfaction items ranged between 1 (very good) and 2 (good). The majority of patients wanted more detailed information about skin cancer (46.7%, 142/304). Long waiting times were often criticized (22.8%; 80/351). Particular attention in addressing specific needs and fears may further increase patient satisfaction.