Evaluating Patient Experience in a Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Clinic: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Background:

Multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs) are a care model in which patients see several physicians across specialties and/or other allied health professionals in a single appointment in a shared space. This study sought to better understand patients' experiences with breast cancer (BC) MDC.

Methods:

A total of 429 patients diagnosed with BC and seen in a MDC between November 2020 and November 2021 were invited to participate in a patient experience survey.

Results:

In total, 116 patient respondents (27%) with representative demographics described their experience. Most patients report feeling “somewhat prepared” for the BC MDC experience (67%, median = 3.7, interquartile range [IQR] = 1.9), but with variability. The major areas of positive feedback were that the MDC was convenient (89.3%), efficient use of time (65.2%), and a good way to get questions answered (65.2%). Major criticisms included that the MDC was overwhelming (16.1%) and/or too long (4.5%). When asked to rate the top three satisfaction areas of MDCs, patients chose seeing multiple providers during a single visit (80.4%), communication about the process before and throughout the MDC (48.2%), and inclusivity of their support system (38.4%). The highest rated dissatisfiers were the volume of information presented (42.9%) and patients' emotional comfort (anxiety/stress) during MDC appointment (30.2%). Overall, 83% of patients with BC rate the MDC experience as excellent (median = 4.8, IQR = 0.9) and would be “very likely” to recommend BC MDC (median = 4.8, IQR = 0.9).

Conclusion:

Patients value seeing multiple providers simultaneously in an environment inclusive of their support systems, which is described as convenient and efficient. Improving emotional distress is a key opportunity to improve patient experience.