Initial results from a national survey of adult cancer patients - including some from Otago - show overall satisfaction with publicly funded outpatient care but some areas which need improvement.
The Cancer Control Council survey, covering eight centres and looking at the experience of patients over a six-month period, is the first such national study .
People were asked about being told their diagnosis, the information and support they received and their experiences of treatment.
Nationally, the results showed that while most of the patients had been seen by four or more doctors, nine out of 10 people reported their care co-ordination ranged from good to excellent.
Patients had a similarly high level of satisfaction with the level of privacy provided during their care and reported they were treated with dignity and respect.
About 83% felt doctors, nurses and other health-care professionals were doing everything they could to treat their cancer, and about 81% reported they would recommend their healthcare team to others.
Areas for improvement were seen as getting better information in several areas, including nutritional needs, possible changes in their emotions, capacity for work or usual activities, impact on relationships and sexual activities.
Almost half the respondents felt there was room for improvement in discussion of different treatments available and almost 40% of people did not feel they were involved in decisions about their cancer care as much as they would have wanted.
Two-thirds of patients felt they did not receive adequate explanations about waiting times for their first cancer treatment appointment, but only 27% felt they waited too long.
Among the 2221 respondents to the survey were 83 patients from Dunedin.
Detailed regional results are expected to be released next week.
During the survey period of October 2008 to March 2009, more than 7000 adults with cancer received publicly funded outpatient services across the country.
