The effect of standardised cancer pathways on Danish cancer patients' dissatisfaction with waiting time.

INTRODUCTION: Standardised cancer patient pathways (CPPs) were implemented in Denmark in 2008 to reduce the waiting time during the diagnostic process and hereby improve patient satisfaction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patient-reported dissatisfaction with long waiting times has changed from "before" to "after" the implementation of CPPs.

METHODS: We conducted a comparative cohort study by comparing the patient-reported dissatisfaction with long waiting time before (2004/2005) and after (2010) CPP implementation. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for patient-reported dissatisfaction after CPP implementation compared with before.

RESULTS: Fewer patients reported dissatisfaction with long waiting time from the time of referral by their general practitioner (GP) to the first consultation at the hospital across the time of CPP implementation (p < 0.001) (adjusted OR = 0.6 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5-0.8)). More patients reported dissatisfaction with long waiting time to get an appointment with their GP across the time of CPP implementation (p < 0.001) (adjusted OR = 3.7 (95% CI: 2.5-5.3)).

CONCLUSION: CPP implementation in Denmark was associated with a reduced level of patient-reported dissatisfaction with long waiting time from the time of referral to the first consultation at the hospital. This indicates that the CPP objective of increasing patient satisfaction may have been achieved. Nevertheless, more patients reported dissatisfaction with long waiting time to get an appointment with their GP.

FUNDING: none.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant.