NCI Community Cancer Center Pilot Program Patient Survey

Background:

• Studies suggest that cancer patients diagnosed and treated in a facility with multi-specialty care and clinical research may live longer and have a better quality of life than patients treated elsewhere.
• The NCI Community Cancer Centers Pilot Program (NCCCP) is a 3-year program to test the concept of a national network of community cancer centers to expand cancer research and deliver the most advanced cancer care to Americans in their own communities.
• The pilot program includes a survey of cancer patients receiving care at the pilot sites.

Objectives:

• To gain an understanding of the experiences of adult patients who receive services at the NCCCP pilot sites and assess if and how their experience changes over the study period. Data about the following are collected:
• Patients information needs and awareness of the NCCCP program
• Clinical trials experience
• Access to health care
• Perspectives on patient-provider communication
• Experiences with patient navigation, self-management, medical decision-making and survivorship
• Satisfaction with care and quality of life

Eligibility:

• Patients 21 years or older at the time of diagnosis
• Treatment at the cancer center for at least 3 months since July 1, 2007

Design:

• Participants complete a 25-minute questionnaire covering the care they received at their cancer center, their experience with making medical appointments and how long they waited to see the doctor. The survey includes information on the following:
• Services at the cancer center
• Getting needed care
• Assistance for patients and their families
• Communication with the cancer care team
• Clinical trials
• Care after finishing treatment
• Evaluation of care
• Health and medical history
• Background information (demographics)