The aim of this paper is to investigate the service quality provided to the patients and the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients. Data have been collected during a survey conducted to long-term cancer patients, who follow a therapy at the Hospital Vito Fazzi, in Province of Lecce (located in the Southern region of Puglia, Italy). In particular, factor analysis and structural equation model are used to measure the relations among latent variables related to two aspects of the analyzed issue, such as service quality provided to the patient and the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients. The first model describes the perceived service quality provided to the patient, which is influenced by four important factors such as the tangible aspects, the reliability, the empathy (doctor-patient human relations) and the hospital organization. The second model describes the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients, which is influenced by three factors, such as the reliability, the empathy (doctor-patient human relations) and the hospital organization. The results are useful to investigate the strategies used to improve the quality service. Moreover, the analysis focuses on highlighting some empirical evidences in health risk through the use of a Geographical Information System (GIS). The advantages of implementing a GIS are related to the possibility to include different demographic databases, relate and analyze them as well as to detect and represent the areas in which there are high mortality rates. This tool, called GIS Cancer Screening, allows to process thematic maps using health data and support public health policies.
Factor analysis and structural equation modeling in oncology research
DISTEFANO, VERONICA;DE IACO, Sandra;PALMA, Monica;Spennato A.
2014-01-01
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to investigate the service quality provided to the patients and the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients. Data have been collected during a survey conducted to long-term cancer patients, who follow a therapy at the Hospital Vito Fazzi, in Province of Lecce (located in the Southern region of Puglia, Italy). In particular, factor analysis and structural equation model are used to measure the relations among latent variables related to two aspects of the analyzed issue, such as service quality provided to the patient and the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients. The first model describes the perceived service quality provided to the patient, which is influenced by four important factors such as the tangible aspects, the reliability, the empathy (doctor-patient human relations) and the hospital organization. The second model describes the relationship between doctors and long-term cancer patients, which is influenced by three factors, such as the reliability, the empathy (doctor-patient human relations) and the hospital organization. The results are useful to investigate the strategies used to improve the quality service. Moreover, the analysis focuses on highlighting some empirical evidences in health risk through the use of a Geographical Information System (GIS). The advantages of implementing a GIS are related to the possibility to include different demographic databases, relate and analyze them as well as to detect and represent the areas in which there are high mortality rates. This tool, called GIS Cancer Screening, allows to process thematic maps using health data and support public health policies.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
