Veterans undergoing lung cancer screening report similar levels of satisfaction regardless of whether they reside in rural or non-rural areas, according to a study published in Medical Care.
Geography Does Not Dictate Satisfaction in VA Screening
A research team led by Jennifer A. Lewis, MD, MS, MPH, of the Veterans Health Administration-VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System, analyzed survey data from 689 veterans to determine if rurality impacted patient experience. The study, which tracked veterans screened at 10 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers between 2018 and 2021, found no statistically significant difference in satisfaction scores between rural and non-rural patients.
Both groups recorded a mean score of 72.4 on the Patient Satisfaction with Cancer Care (PSCC) scale. Even when adjusted for population weighting, the difference remained negligible, with rural veterans scoring 72.4 and non-rural veterans scoring 71.9.
Did you know? While 93.6% of veterans reported feeling treated with courtesy and respect, only about two-thirds of respondents felt they clearly understood the next steps in their care or knew exactly who to contact with questions.
The Impact of Smoking Status on Patient Experience
While geography did not emerge as a barrier to satisfaction, smoking status did. The study identified a clear negative association between current smoking and patient satisfaction, with a coefficient of -3.20. Dr. Lewis and her colleagues noted that this dissatisfaction was consistent across several key areas of the patient experience.
Veterans who currently smoke reported lower levels of satisfaction regarding:
- Feeling included in health-related decision-making.
- Being encouraged to discuss specific health concerns.
- Overall perception of the care received.
Researchers suggest this may stem from heightened concern about lung cancer screening, which is often observed in populations that currently smoke.
Improving Communication in Lung Cancer Screening
The study highlights a critical opportunity for health systems to improve patient outcomes by refining how they communicate follow-up procedures. Data showed that “knowing what the next step in care would be” had the lowest agreement among all survey items, with only 65.2% of veterans stating they felt informed.
For healthcare administrators, these findings serve as a roadmap for future initiatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does living in a rural area affect the quality of lung cancer screening care at the VA?
No. According to the research published in Medical Care, there is no significant difference in patient satisfaction scores between veterans in rural and non-rural areas.
Why do veterans who currently smoke report lower satisfaction?
The study authors suggest that heightened concern about screening results may play a role. Additionally, these patients reported feeling less included in decision-making and less encouraged to discuss their health concerns compared to former smokers.
What is the biggest area for improvement in lung cancer screening communication?
The survey identified that patients often struggle to understand the next steps in their care and frequently do not know who to contact with specific questions, with only about two-thirds of respondents feeling confident in these areas.
Are you interested in how the VA is evolving its care standards? Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on veteran health research and medical policy.
Worth a look
