Understanding Patient and Family Experience in Pediatric Hemato-Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Study from Morocco

Boujemaa El Marnissi, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Sanae Bouramdane, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco AND Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Moussa Benboubker, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco AND Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Fouad Abbas, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Salma Chahid, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Jalal Dahmani, National School of Public Health, MoroccoFollow
Khalid Moubtahij, Higher Institute of Nursing Professions and Health Techniques, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Kenza Elmkadem, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco AND Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MoroccoFollow
Sarra Benmiloud, Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco AND Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy, and Dentistry, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University, Fez, MoroccoFollow

ORCID

Boujemaa El Marnissi: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1919-0222

Abstract

Background. Patient- and family-reported experience is a vital indicator of healthcare quality, particularly in pediatric hematology-oncology. This study assessed patient- and family-reported experience and identified its sociodemographic, clinical, and organizational determinants in a newly established pediatric hemato-oncology department of a tertiary university hospital in Morocco. Methods. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between November 2023 and January 2024. Experience was assessed using a validated multidimensional questionnaire covering reception and access, information and communication, human and relational aspects of care, therapeutic management and pain control, accommodation conditions, and logistical and administrative processes. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were collected; bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression identified factors associated with overall satisfaction; internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's alpha. Results. Three hundred patients were included (response rate 97.08%; mean age 9.03 ± 4.89 years). Overall satisfaction was very high (98.3%), and most respondents would recommend the service. Satisfaction was higher among families living closer to the hospital, with medical coverage, scheduled admission, and cancer rather than hematologic disease, while dissatisfaction was mainly linked to waiting times, administrative complexity, unclear staff roles, and poor meal quality. In multivariate analysis, cancer diagnosis, follow-up longer than one year, planned admission, and waiting time under two hours were independently associated with higher odds of satisfaction (adjusted ORs = 2.86, 2.44, 3.85, and 2.44, respectively); the questionnaire showed good reliability (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85). Conclusions. Despite very high reported satisfaction, organizational and logistical factors remain critical levers to further enhance patient and family experience in pediatric hemato-oncology.

Recommended Citation

Marnissi B, Bouramdane S, Benboubker M, Abbas F, Chahid S, Dahmani J, Moubtahij K, Elmkadem K, Benmiloud S. Understanding Patient and Family Experience in Pediatric Hemato-Oncology: A Cross-Sectional Study from Morocco. Patient Experience Journal. ; 13(3):125-138. doi: 10.35680/2372-0247.2162.