Client perception of radiotherapy services at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Assessment of quality from the patient's perspective could be a method of aiding improvement of services to achieve total quality management. This study set out to determine the level of knowledge of radiotherapy among patients and assess their attitude to the radiotherapy services provided at the Oncology clinic of the Department of Radiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital Nigeria. Data collection was by self-administered questionnaires using a systematic random sampling technique of every second patient attending the clinic over a period of six months. Both old and new patients were included in the study. A total of 104 patients were interviewed. More than two-thirds of the respondents (70.2%) were females. Most (86.3%) of the female respondents were aged 30- 69yrs. A quarter (25.8%) of the male respondents were under 30 years. The majority of both males (62%) and females (58.9%) had at least senior secondary education. Majority of the respondents (males, 54.8% and females, 61.6%) were reassured in terms of the treatment modalities being received. About two-thirds (64.5%) of the males and three -quarters (74.0%) of the females felt they had improved chances of survival. Majority of the males (51.6%) and females (57.5%) felt that radiotherapy had its worth in the management of their conditions. Most (94.5%) of the clients who perceived radiotherapy to be of adequate worth felt there was an improvement in their condition. The study recommended the need for improved communication in doctor – patient relationships in chronic diseases such as cancer.

Keywords: Client, perception, radiotherapy and services

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5 (2) 2006: 57-61