The patient perspective on errors in cancer care: Results of a cross-sectional survey (December 2019)

Summary

The objective of this study from Carey et al. was to explore medical oncology outpatients' perceived experiences of errors in their cancer care.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted. English-speaking medical oncology outpatients aged 18 years or older were recruited from 9 Australian cancer treatment centres.

One hundred forty-eight participants perceived that an error had been made in their care, of which one third reported that the error was associated with severe harm. Of those who perceived an error had been made, less than half reported that they had received an explanation for the error and only one third reported receiving an apology or being told that steps had been taken to prevent the error from reoccurring. Patients with university or vocational level education and those who received radiotherapy or “other” treatments were significantly more likely to report an error in care. 

The authors concluded that here is significant scope to improve communication with patients and appropriate responses by the healthcare system after a perceived error in cancer care.