Observational analysis improved patient satisfaction in brain metastases care, indicating enhancements in communication and decisions.
BACKGROUND Brain metastases (BMETS) are the most common central nervous system tumors in adults. Given the complexity of care and lack of clear guidelines, patients often experience fragmented care across multiple specialties. Insights into how patients experience their care, as well as whether it aligns with their values and preferences, are essential for understanding and delivering comprehensive, goal-concordant care. We aimed to identify care gaps to facilitate the delivery of patient-centered care in our BMETS Program by systematically gathering patient feedback. METHODS We developed a patient satisfaction survey (PSS) to assess patient experiences within our BMETS Program. Domains include whether patients felt their goals and quality of life were addressed, clarity of treatment explanations, respect from providers, and overall satisfaction with the Program. Survey delivery was embedded in clinical workflows and administered two to three months after initial consultation. RESULTS Preliminary responses revealed variability in patient-reported understanding of treatment impact, involvement in decision-making, and clarity regarding next steps. Feedback highlights opportunities to strengthen communication about prognosis, quality of life, and treatment expectations. We will present updated results at the meeting. DISCUSSION By identifying gaps in shared decision-making and aligning care with patient values, the feedback helps guide improvements in communication and supports the delivery of goal-concordant care, ultimately enhancing both quality and the overall patient experience. Integrating the PSS into clinic operations also strengthened collaboration across clinical and non-clinical teams, engaging frontline staff and support services in this shared goal. Our experience demonstrates how systematic patient input can guide program development and promote patient-centered care for brain metastases.
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Guterman et al. (2025) studied this question.
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