Understanding experiences of optimal survivorship care: findings from a population-based study of cancer survivors

Abstract Background Multiple frameworks describing optimal cancer survivorship care recommend the development of systems to monitor delivery of quality care. This study reports the experiences of cancer survivorship care in Australia and examines associations with patient-level sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Methods People aged ≥ 16 years, with any cancer receiving cancer care in a Victorian public hospital in 2018, were invited to complete a survey assessing care experiences. Seven items assessed follow-up care experiences with optimal care indicated by the response: ‘Yes, definitely received’, and sub-optimal care by responses ‘Yes, I think so’, ‘No’, and ‘Not sure’. A composite score was derived with optimal care defined as positive experiences on the majority of items. Sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with optimal care were examined using multivariable logistic regression. Results Of the 4998 (47% response rate) respondents, 3555 were receiving follow-up care. The item most respondents indicated receiving optimal care was ‘receiving information about schedule of tests/check-ups’ (73%), with optimal care least likely to be reported for the item ‘receiving information about new symptoms needing investigation’ (44%). Based on our composite measure, only 40% had optimal survivorship care overall. Those more likely to report optimal survivorship care were male, from lower socioeconomic advantage areas, reported excellent health, diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung or a haematological cancer, and diagnosed less recently. Conclusions Large numbers of Australian cancer survivors report sub-optimal survivorship care, with experiences varying by some sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Understanding reasons for differences can provide insight into strategies to ameliorate variations.