280549
Research of the relationship among quality of care and quality of life in patients with breast cancer
Kuo-Piao Chung, PhD,
Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Taipei City, Taiwan
Hsin-Yun Tsai, MS,
Instute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taiwan, Taipei city, Taiwan
Wan-Lin Tang, MS,
Institute of Health Policy and Management, College of Public Health, National Taiwan University, Taipei city, Taiwan
Recent years have seen increased attention being given to measure care process and long-term outcome in breast cancer research. However, research focusing on the relationship between quality of care and quality of life in survivors is still very scarce. The aim of this study was to explore whether higher adherence to a set of breast cancer quality indicators applied to individuals is associated with better quality of life. A cross-sectional study was conducted by structured-questionnaire to breast cancer survivors in 19 hospitals during January to July in 2011. The quality indicators (2 pretreatment-related and 3 treatment-related indicators) were used to measure the quality of care. Adherence rate of each individual was based on the number of indicators adhered divided by the number of indicators applicable for the individual according to her stage. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core questionnaire and breast module (EORTC QLQ-C30and QLQ-BR23) was employed to assess quality of life. A multiple regression and a hierarchical linear modeling were used for multivariate analysis. 670 female patients (average age of 53±9.9 years) were included in the study. 417(63.3%) participants reported over one year time-elapsed since initial treatment. Multivariate analysis revealed that higher quality of care related to better quality of life. Higher adherence rate was positively associated with role functioning, emotional functioning, body image, sexual function, sexual enjoyment and future perspective. Moreover, better care was negatively related to symptoms such as pain, financial difficulties, as well as systemic therapy side effects and breast symptoms.
Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Provision of health care to the public
Public health administration or related administration
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Assess the quality of care and quality of life in breast cancer survivors
Keyword(s): Breast Cancer, Quality of Life
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was a member of Consult Committee for Accreditation on Cancer Care Quality Program launched by National Health Research Institutes in Taiwan. In addition, I have been the principal investigator of nationally funded grants focusing on the quality management and improvement in cancer care.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
