A qualitative study of patient satisfaction with follow-up cancer care: the case of Hong Kong.

This paper reports the results of a qualitative study that examined the experiences of cancer patients with the intention of incorporating consumer perspectives into the development of quality cancer care in Hong Kong. Altogether, eight focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 41 cancer patients. The results indicate that patients lack clear guidance and support regarding the management of sequelae and surveillance against recurrence. Patients also raised concerns about the lack of access to information, and the lack of health care provider accountability. Any understanding of the scope and goals of follow-up cancer care is obscured when the healthcare environment is not conducive to good doctor-patient communication. Patients are calling for more explicit goals and clinical practice guidelines to serve as frames of reference for both patients and doctors.