Comparing modular and personal service delivery in specialised outpatient care : A survey of haematology and oncology patient preferences

Background Oncology and haematology are shifting from inpatient to outpatient care, requiring new care delivery models. This study compares preferences of oncology patients treated by named nurses in a traditional specialty-focused day hospital and haematology patients treated without named nurses in a modularised day hospital. Methods Questionnaires to explore patient preferences on number of treating nurses and named nurses, and satisfaction in day hospital care were distributed to 300 haematology and 410 oncology patients. Binomial logistic regressions were performed to study how background variables influenced preferences for having (i) a named nurse or (ii) maximum three treating nurses in the day hospital. Results In 2016, 156 (52%) haematology and 289 (70%) oncology surveys were completed and returned. Both groups were satisfied with day hospital care. Haematology patients preferred named nurses less often than oncology patients (odds ratio (OR) = 0.09, p <0.0005). Haematology patients were less likely to prefer a maximum of three treating nurses (OR = 0.12, p <0.0005). Conclusion This study suggests that patients can be satisfied with outpatient care with or without named nurses. However, as several factors affect patient satisfaction and experience, more in-depth research is needed to understand how modularisation and patient preferences may be linked.