Abstract

Introduction

In Mexico cancer is a public health burden. Nowadays the health care systems pay special attention to patient's perception and satisfaction of the health care received. Satisfaction with quality of health care has an impact in the adherence to the treatment.

Objective

To evaluate the satisfaction with the quality of health care received at the IMSS in a group of cancer patients [non Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), breast and colorectal cancer]. Socio-demographic features, co-morbid diseases, and attendance processes impact on satisfaction are also evaluated.

Results

476 cancer patients were studied: 314 with breast cancer, 92 with NHL and 70 with colorectal cancer. In women with breast cancer the mean score to nurses' interpersonal skills in non-classified disease group and clinical stage III group were: 73.64±32.53, 90.00±18.25 respectively (p=0.005), nurses' availability in non-classified and clinical stage III group were: 69.71±30.25, 89.21±19.00 respectively (p=0.003). In subjects with NHL the mean scores for doctors' technical skills in clinical stage I and III groups, were: 63.69±37.78, 80.30±18.46 respectively (p=0.017), doctors' information provision scores in subject in clinical stage I and IV were: 49.40±40.75, 79.49±24.63 respectively (p=0.043). In the group of colorectal cancer patients the mean of the score to exchange of information between clinical stage II and clinical stage III group were 50.00±41.83, 84.21±22.37 respectively (p=0.036). Were not observed association between attendance processes features and general satisfaction.

Conclusions

In Mexico 50% of cancer patients are attended at the IMSS. The continued evaluation of the satisfaction with health care received by the health care service users is important to enhance attention's quality.