Patient Reflections

Patients were more satisfied when healthcare professionals took them seriously, followed through on promises and provided adequate information. Only one included study specifically asked patients to reflect on satisfaction with their diagnostic course and suggest improvements. Dissatisfaction was associated with long waits, feeling ignored, false reassurance and inadequate information. Patients also recommended persistence, copies of referral letters and one clinician overseeing the diagnostic process until diagnosis. Patients recommended increasing awareness of early sarcoma symptoms among healthcare professionals and the public.