Scottish cancer patient experience survey 2015-2016: exploring differences in patient experiences

Urban Rural

The Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification ^[4] provides a standard definition or rural areas in Scotland. The 6-fold Urban Rural Classification was used in this analysis to identify the types of areas that survey respondents lived in: Large urban areas; Other urban areas; Accessible small towns; Remote small towns; Accessible rural; and Remote rural. It was a factor in 5 out of the 47 questions analysed.

Compared to people living in large urban areas, those living in other urban and remote rural areas were more positive when asked if the doctors and nurses asked them what name they preferred to be called by whilst in hospital.

The other four questions affected were more negative for at least one type of area when compared to those living in large urban areas:

• Length of time they had to wait for their diagnostic test to be done – accessible small town and accessible rural;
• Whether anyone had discussed with them whether they would like to take part in cancer research since their diagnosis – other urban and remote rural;
• Whether they thought the GPs and nurses at their General Practice did everything they could to support them while they were having cancer treatment – other urban; and
• Whether hospital staff told them who to contact if they were worried about their condition or treatment after they left hospital – remote rural.