Objective: Although older patients represent the most rapidly growing segment of the
oncology population, clinical care is guided by very little data on patient-reported
outcomes, particularly satisfaction with healthcare. Using a large cancer center registry,
we sought to describe factors associated with satisfaction with care for older and younger
oncology patients.
Methods: Data were collected through the University of North Carolina Health Registry
Cancer Survivorship Cohort. Satisfaction was measured with the Patient Satisfaction
Questionnaire Short Form. Quality of life (QOL) measures included were the Promis Global
short form and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General (FACT-G).
Results: A total of 2385 patients were included. 460 (20%) were aged 70 and above (older
group). Older patients reported significantly higher levels of satisfaction in domains of time
spent with doctor (scores 3.84 versus 3.73 p = 0.03) and financial aspects (scores 4.03 versus
3.44 p < 0.001) compared to younger patients. In multivariable analysis, higher QOL scores
and higher self-reported ECOG performance status were associated with higher satisfaction
scores. African American race was associated with lower satisfaction scores in all age
groups. QOL was more closely correlated with satisfaction in older patients compared to
younger patients.