Patient satisfaction after treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer

BACKGROUND: Patient satisfaction is an important aspect of patient-centered care but has not been systematically studied after treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), the most prevalent cancer. OBJECTIVE: To compare patient satisfaction after treatment for NMSC and to determine factors associated with better satisfaction. METHODS: We prospectively measured patient, tumor, and care characteristics in 834 consecutive patients at two centers before and after destruction, excision, and Mohs surgery. We evaluated factors associated with short-term and long-term satisfaction. RESULTS: In all treatment groups, patients were more satisfied with the interpersonal manners of the staff, communication, and financial aspects of their care than with the technical quality, time with the clinician, and accessibility of their care (p<.05). Short-term satisfaction did not differ across treatment groups. In multivariable regression models adjusting for patient, tumor, and care characteristics, higher long-term satisfaction was independently associated with younger age, better pretreatment mental health and skin-related quality of life, and treatment with Mohs surgery (p<.05). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term patient satisfaction after treatment of NMSC is related to pretreatment patient characteristics (mental health, skin-related quality of life) and treatment type (Mohs) but not tumor characteristics. These results can guide informed decision-making for treatment of NMSC.

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