LAUSR

e18002 Background: With the aim of empowering alternate oncology workforce, to resolve the issue of access, a unique cancer care delivery model (Pendharkar model) was launched in 4 states of India, spread across 125 districts with population coverage of around 210 million. The model has established nodal cancer units in every government run district hospital and created a point of contact for cancer- a physician-medical officer. Hundreds of patients have been seen by these hospital in last four years. The aim of this analysis was to survey the patient population attending and their satisfaction level. Methods: An elaborate survey was conducted amongst patients coming to district hospital. It sought information on satisfaction, choices. The written responses were sought, and data analysed. Results: Overall.186 patients were surveyed. Nearly 62 % of the patients had visited hospital multiple times before. Referral pattern showed that about 7 % of the patients were referred by other patients who were treated here, 62 % of the patients were referred by other medical professional, including nearby cancer hospitals and specialists. More than half of the patients (54.1) had taken cancer treatment outside district hospital, at some point of time. On question of comparison of service 65 % felt services to be better in government run setup, the time to start of therapy was much faster (74%).The time given by the doctor to the patient was satisfactory, highly appreciated by 97% of the respondents. Ease of accessibility of the staff was positively accepted by 100 %. All were happy with the level of communication by the doctors and nursing staff. Chemotherapy experience was better in district hospital set up for 58 % of the patients. More than 95% rated nursing services of high quality and all were happy with the behaviour of nurses. 80% were interested in continuing chemotherapy in same government hospital. Majority said that they are happy with their decision of taking chemotherapy in district hospital and would definitely refer other patients here. Conclusions: The survey strongly favours the model of empowerment of alternate oncology workforce in government run district hospital, and achieves high level of satisfaction amongst cancer patients.