Validation of the OPportunity for Treatment In ONcology (OPTION) questionnaire measuring continuity of care.
Increasing efforts are ongoing to deliver effective cancer care through integrated networks of services. Measuring patients' experience of care is essential to identify problematic areas that require organisational adjustments. The aim of the present study was to examine the validity of OPTION questionnaire, designed to measure patient's perceived continuity of care across different phases of their care pathway. The study was carried at the Institute for Cancer Treatment and Research, Meldola and the oncology departments of the Local Health Authority of Romagna, Italy. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify factors underlying patients' perception of continuity of care. Factor scores were compared between patients with or without a care coordinator using Mann-Whitney test. The study sample consisted of 214 patients with breast or colorectal cancer, with a mean age of 62.3 years. Most patients identified the oncologist as their care coordinator. Five factors were extracted using PCA: (1) "trustful relationship with health care staff," (2) "information on care pathway," (3) "information on changes related to the illness," (4) "feelings of abandonment" and (5) "collaboration among health care professionals." The scores of factors 2 and 3 were significantly higher among those with a care coordinator. The OPTION questionnaire is a reliable instrument that can help clinicians and administrative stakeholder target efforts and resources in the pursuit of quality of care.
['Rucci|Paola|P|http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7704-0831', 'Foglino|Silvia|S|', 'Bravi|Francesca|F|', "D'Avenia|Rossella|R|", 'Altini|Mattia|M|', 'Carradori|Tiziano|T|', 'Angelastro|Angela|A|', 'Fantini|Maria Pia|MP|']
D000368:Aged D001943:Breast Neoplasms D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms D003266:Continuity of Patient Care D003299:Cooperative Behavior D019091:Critical Pathways D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D010817:Physician-Patient Relations D025341:Principal Component Analysis D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D035502:Trust
validity oncology continuity of care cancer factor analysis patient-reported experience measures