80% of Korean cancer patients visit multiple hospitals before treatment: survey

Listen to Patients, Korea’s first patient-centered research service channel, on Tuesday released the results of its latest survey highlighting the hospital-seeking behavior of cancer patients after diagnosis and before starting treatment.

The survey was conducted from May 22 to July 15 and included 140 cancer patients and caregivers across a broad age range, from their 20s to their 70s.

According to the survey, 80 percent of the cancer patients visited two or more hospitals after receiving a cancer diagnosis before settling on a treatment plan. The remaining 20 percent of respondents reported visiting just one hospital. Out of the total, 50 percent visited two, 23 percent visited three, and 7 percent visited four or more.

When asked why they visited multiple hospitals, most patients said they wanted to confirm the accuracy of their initial diagnosis by consulting with renowned specialists at large hospitals.

Other major reasons included searching for better or more advanced treatment options, being referred to higher-level hospitals for additional testing, seeking faster treatment due to long wait times, or feeling that the initial medical explanation was insufficient.

Additional responses noted patients’ desire to receive care from one of Korea’s five largest hospitals from the outset, a lack of hospital choices due to recent healthcare disruptions, or referrals from local clinics to tertiary hospitals.

As for what influenced their final choice of treatment facility, patients most often cited the doctor’s detailed explanations and the sense of trust they felt in the medical team.

This was followed by the hospital or doctor’s reputation in cancer care, shorter waiting times for treatment, and accessibility in terms of location and transportation.

The survey also shed light on the burdens patients face when navigating multiple hospitals, with respondents pointing to repeated testing and diagnostic procedures, time demands, and psychological stress as the top challenges.

“Even after a cancer diagnosis, patients face numerous critical decisions,” said Lee Eun-young, a co-representative of the Korean Leukemia Patients Association. “This survey’s finding that 8 out of ten patients seek multiple medical opinions shows the gravity of their journey toward survival. Confirmation of diagnosis, hopes for better treatment, and trust in healthcare providers emerged as the key priorities.”

Listen to Patients CEO Myung Sung-ok also said, “This fourth survey highlights the real-world experiences of cancer patients navigating their care decisions, and it reminds us that medical explanations and trust-building are themselves vital parts of the treatment process.”

"Listen to Patients will continue to amplify patient voices and help shape a more patient-centered healthcare environment."

Launched under the mission of “listening to patient voices,” Listen to Patients operates as a dedicated research platform for patients and caregivers, offering unique insights to improve healthcare systems. Individuals interested in joining the Listen to Patients panel or participating in future surveys can register at www.listentopatients.co.kr.