Purpose: Intravenous infusion (IV) biologic therapy can be administered in various sites of care (SOCs). Patient preference and satisfaction data informing quality of care perceptions are sparse. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient perceptions, satisfaction and experiences, by SOC, among patients with immunology conditions currently treated with an IV biologic medication.
Method: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 405 patients. Sites of care were categorized as: rheumatologist in-office infusion (rheum IOI), gastroenterologist in-office infusion (gastro IOI), hospital outpatient department (HOPD), or infusion therapy provider (ITP). Patient experience with attributes of infusion centers were rated on 7-point Likert scales (1=Poor, 7=Excellent).
Result: Of the 392 patients reporting SOC information, 154 (39.3%) received infusions in rheum IOI, 102 (26.0%) in gastro IOI, 111 (28.3%) in HOPD, and 25 (6.4%) in ITP. Rheum and gastro IOIs were more likely to receive high ratings for interaction with staff compared with HOPD. Gastro IOIs were the most likely to receive high ratings for waiting times compared to rheum IOIs and HOPD, though waiting time was still more highly rated in rheum IOIs than HOPD. HOPDs were least likely to receive high ratings for ease of parking, waiting time, interaction with staff, and expertise of staff. ITPs were most likely to receive high ratings for convenient scheduling of infusions.
Conclusion: Patient experience with specific attributes of infusion centers significantly differ by SOC. Therefore patient perceptions and experiences should be considered in choice of SOC. Table: Patient Ratings (6 or 7 on 7-point Scale) of Attributes of Infusion Centers by SOC
| SOC Attribute | (a) Rheum IOI | (b) Gastro IOI | (c) HOPD | (d) ITP |
| Convenient location | 61.7% | 60.8% | 59.5% | 60.0% |
| Easy to get there | 64.3% | 66.7% | 69.4% | 64.0% |
| Free parking | 87.4%bc | 76.5% | 67.0% | 84.0% |
| Ease of parking | 83.4%c | 75.5% | 66.1% | 88.0%c |
| Waiting time | 77.9%c | 89.2%ac | 54.1% | 76.0%c |
| Interaction with staff | 93.5%c | 93.1%c | 82.0% | 88.0% |
| Handling insurance coverage and paperwork | 90.9%c | 88.2% | 83.8% | 84.0% |
| Convenient scheduling | 80.5% | 82.4% | 87.4% | 96.0%ab |
| Expertise of staff | 94.1%c | 94.1%c | 85.6% | 96.0%c |
See more of: The 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Medical Decision Making