Impediments of Cancer Survivorship and Palliative Care: A Mixed-Methods Study in a Tertiary Healthcare Facility in Odisha, India

Abstract

Objective: Measure the satisfaction level of patients visiting a tertiary level cancer institute in Odisha, identify the factors associated with the satisfaction level and assess the health system challenges related to quality service provision for cancer survival. Material and Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study was carried out using a mixed-methods approach in a tertiary cancer care unit in Odisha among 538 cancer patients using the Patient Satisfaction 32 questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9 questionnaire. Results: There were 41% and 43% of outdoor and indoor patients who were below poverty line. Hindu was the predominant religion (>90%), 10% were illiterates and 90% were married in each category. Breast cancer (16%) was predominant among outdoor patients, whereas, it was stomach cancer (15%) among indoor patients. The PHQ median score for females was 1.5 and 1 each for indoor and outdoor patients, respectively. Nearly, 72% and 57% of males and females had mild depression to adjustment disorders statistically significant at P < 0.05. 90% of outdoor and 68% of indoor patients with a greater frequency of visits were significantly more depressed than their counterparts. All those accompanied by people other than their family members also showed higher values of adjustment and mild depressive features (69%) at P < 0.05. About 81% were satisfied with both general services and staff and nearly 40% with treatment and diagnosis. Conclusion: It gave us demographic details of cancer morbidity and its associates besides validating the survivorship framework in the Indian setting. Self-help anonymous and rehabilitation centres for a holistic integrative approach at the primary level of care need to be done.