Introduction
Quality patient information is the cornerstone of personalised cancer care, empowering treatment decisions and improving patient outcomes. As a team of colorectal nurse specialists in a large hospital trust in the Northeast of England we undertook a quality improvement project to enhance information provision for patients diagnosed with bowel cancer. This initiative was prompted by recognition of both the critical importance of accurate information for cancer patients and the need to adapt service delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic
Results & Findings
The quality improvement project began with a comprehensive survey designed to evaluate patients' perceptions of current information provision and gather suggestions for enhancement. Twenty patients, deliberately selected to represent diverse demographic profiles, participated in the survey. A striking finding was that 80% of respondents sought additional information about their condition from internet sources, particularly from trusted websites like NHS Choices, Macmillan, and Cancer Research UK. The same percentage expressed interest in more visual content such as photos of staff, and most indicated a preference for accessing digital information alongside traditional printed materials.
Following the survey, two focus group workshops were conducted in collaboration with the NHS organisation dedicated to personalised care approaches. The focus groups examined patient experiences across the entire care pathway, from initial referral through treatment and follow-up, guided by principles of realistic medicine and shared decision-making.
We presented several innovative proposals for information delivery: an interactive diagram of the colorectal cancer journey accessible via the Trust's website; patient contact cards containing team details, phone numbers, website links, and QR codes; a webpage featuring QR codes linking to specific information resources; a video depicting the patient journey from referral through investigations; and plans to refresh the existing service webpage. These proposals aligned with the survey finding that most patients used online resources for information.
Summary & Discussion
This quality improvement initiative has provided us with valuable insights and confidence to advance information provision strategy in ways that genuinely reflect patient needs and experiences. The findings support a multimedia approach combining digital and traditional resources, with particular emphasis on accessible online information that patients can engage with at their own pace. As a team we created a patient information pathway that mirrors the actual patient journey and authentically reflects diverse patient experiences.
Conclusion
The project demonstrates the value of collaborative approaches to service improvement that meaningfully involve patients as partners. By putting patients at the heart of t project, the colorectal nursing team was positioned to develop information resources that truly meet patient needs during a challenging time in their lives. This patient-centred approach to information provision exemplifies the team's commitment to not only meet but exceed patient expectations in their privileged role as cancer care providers.
Disclosure
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