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Results
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING CANCER CARE
Five priorities for improving cancer care:
- Provide clear information about the disease, treatments, and their side effects
- Support symptom management
- Strengthen social and financial support
- Establish a personalized care plan for every patient
- Improve emotional support
These five recommendations are based on the findings of the Swiss Cancer Patient Experiences (SCAPE) project. In 2023, this survey collected the care experiences of nearly 8,000 people living with cancer across Switzerland. The results showed high overall levels of satisfaction, but also identified several unmet needs.
To develop these recommendations, we:
- Discussed the findings with patients, healthcare professionals, and patient organizations through interviews.
- Brought these stakeholders together in two national workshops to validate the five priorities.
Below you will find:
- The report detailing the SCAPE recommendations, in French and German
- The recommendations issued by the Federal Commission for Quality (FCQ) based on our report, in French and German
SCAPE-CH
Of the 16,963 patients invited to participate in the survey, 7,844 completed and returned the questionnaire, resulting in a participation rate of 46%.
The results indicate a high overall level of satisfaction with the care received. Key strengths include diagnostic examinations (information and timeliness), inpatient hospital care (being treated with respect, pain management, staff availability), and information provided about treatment options and treatments received.
However, the findings also highlight areas for improvement in several key domains: support and involvement of carers, information and support regarding long-term side effects, and post-treatment support (home care and follow-up). Additionally, communication about financial assistance and social resources could be improved to better meet patients' needs.
Dashboard and infographic: The overall results are presented below, in full form in the “Dashboard” document (30 pages), and as a visual summary in the “Infographic” document (2 pages).
SCAPE-2
Of the 6’873 patients invited to participate in the survey, 3’220 completed and returned the questionnaire (47% participation rate).
Overall, experiences of care with diagnostic tests were positive, particularly the waiting time between the prescription of an examination and its completion, the usefulness of the tests performed, the trust in hospital staff and the fact that care was provided with respect and dignity. The experience is less positive with respect to information received at diagnosis, support for short- and long-term side effects of treatment and cancer, information about the impact of cancer on daily activities, difficulty finding a staff member to talk about concerns and fears, financial aspects of the disease, and loved ones’ involvement.
The brochure and detailed results are available in French and German.
SCAPE-1
Of the 7’145 patients invited to participate in the survey, 3’121 completed and returned the questionnaire (44% participation rate).
Overall, patient experiences of care were positive with respect to diagnostic tests, contacts with the nurse specialist, operations, and care received during hospitalization and outpatient treatment. Experiences were less positive with regard to written information received at diagnosis, information on side-effects of treatment, psychosocial and financial impacts of cancer, support after treatment and loved ones’ involvement.
The detailed results are available in French, below.
