Perception of quality of care of patients with potentially severe diseases evaluated at a distinct quick diagnostic delivery model: a cross-sectional study

Table 1 Characteristics of survey respondents at the quick diagnosis unit (N = 159)

Variable	N (%)	Mean (SD)
Age, years		60.5 (17.42)
18–44	24 (15)
45–65	59 (37)
> 65	76 (48)
Sex
Female	75 (47)
Male	84 (53)
Education
University education	15 (9)
Secondary or professional training	32 (20)
Primary education	64 (40)
No schooling	48 (30)
Monthly household income, Euros^a		1376 (185.11)
> 1800	29 (18)
1201–1800	52 (33)
901–1200	45 (28)
≤ 900	33 (21)
Previous visits at hospitals’ outpatients clinics	93 (59)
Previous hospitalizations at this hospital	56 (35)
Referral sources
Emergency department	84 (53)
Primary care centers	55 (35)
Specialized outpatient clinics	6 (4)
Other	14 (9)
Wait time from referral to first visit, days^b		3.6 (1.30)
Main reasons for consultation
Peripheral lymphadenopathies	39 (25)
Unintentional weight loss	24 (15)
Suspicion/palpation of masses	22 (14)
Anemia	19 (12)
QDU visits, number		2.2 (0.73)
≤ 2	95 (60)
3	43 (27)
≥ 4	21 (13)
Time to diagnosis, days^c		12.2 (8.71)
Main diagnoses
Malignancy	41 (26)
Benign digestive disorders	18 (11)
Reactive lymphadenopathy	11 (7)
Anemia (unrelated to malignancy)	8 (5)
Onwards referrals
Primary care centers	83 (52)
Specialized outpatient clinics	65 (41)
Hospitalization	8 (5)
Emergency department	2 (1)
Other	1 (1)

SD = standard deviation; QDU = quick diagnosis unit.
^aIncome of all household members, after tax deductions. Respondents had to choose one alternative from eight income ranges.
^bFrom date of referral to date of first visit. Consecutive days, including weekends and holidays.
^cFrom first QDU visit to definitive diagnosis (i.e. last visit)

ISSN: 1472-6963