[Surveys as Quality Management Measures in Psychosocial Cancer Counselling Centers].

AIM: The aim of the present survey was to describe and evaluate experiences of German psychosocial cancer counselling centers with user surveys as a quality management measure.

METHODS: Representatives of various psychosocial cancer counselling centers were asked to prepare an experience report on user surveys. Nine field reports were presented and discussed in summary by the working group "Cancer Counselling Centers" of the Working Group Psychooncology of the German Cancer Society (PSO). Special attention was paid to the short questionnaire KBS-N (Cancer Counselling Centre Questionnaire) recommended by the working group.

RESULTS: All psychosocial cancer counselling centers reported positive experiences with user surveys, which, however, represent an effort in terms of personnel and logistics. In addition to the KBS-N, more detailed questionnaires were also used. The surveys were conducted either continuously or on a random basis over a limited period of time. Those seeking advice were usually asked at a defined time directly after the initial interviews or after the end of the counselling sequence. The response rate was higher (85-95%) when the questionnaire was handed out personally after the initial consultation than for postal delivery and return (47-89%). All counselling centers reported positive feedback on the counselling services provided. Isolated points of criticism were related in particular to organizational framework conditions.

CONCLUSION: After weighing up the costs and benefits, an active follow-up survey of those seeking advice using the short questionnaire KBS-N appears to be a practicable quality assurance measure, at least over a limited period of time. More detailed user surveys require more effort and are therefore more suitable for use in research that go beyond quality assurance.