The quality of radiation care: the results of focus group interviews and concept mapping to explore the patient's perspective.

Background And Purpose: In this study, we explore the quality aspects of radiation care from the patient's perspective in order to develop a draft Consumer Quality Index (CQI) Radiation Care instrument.

Materials And Methods: Four focus group discussions with (former) cancer patients were held to explore the aspects determining the quality of radiation care. The list of aspects generated was categorised based on similarity and importance in a concept mapping procedure.

Results: Four focus group discussions revealed seven main themes related to the quality of radiation care: information provision, a patient-centred approach, professional competence, planning and waiting times, accessibility, cooperation and communication, and follow-up care. Results of concept mapping procedures revealed which items the patients considered to be most important. A radiation oncologist who is up to date about the patient's file is of paramount importance for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy.

Conclusions: The quality aspects found through focus group discussions provided useful insight into how patients experience radiation care. Furthermore, concept mapping made these results more solid. To evaluate the quality of radiation care from the patient's perspective, these quality aspects will be guiding in the development of a CQI Radiation Care.