In:
Journal of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Vol. 35, No. 31_suppl ( 2017-11-01), p. 94-94
Abstract:
94 Background: Improving quality of care involves identifying patient health needs and designing systems to meet those needs reliably. Within Radiation Oncology, patient health needs encompass measurable, physical quantities such as a reduction in tumor size, as well as subjective needs, as in freedom from pain. Patient reported outcomes (PRO) have the potential to identify subjective health needs and to guide treatment towards symptoms patients find most bothersome, thereby improving quality of care. Here we report the unmet health needs revealed by systematic electronic PRO data collection in a Radiation Oncology department. Methods: 50 consecutively treated patients for a variety of malignant and nonmalignant, primary and metastatic disease were surveyed within the CNS subdivision of a single Radiation Oncology department using electronic EORTC QLQ C30 or PRO-CTCAE CNS forms displayed on a touch screen tablet. Patients were then followed with PRO surveys at two additional time points, 1-2 weeks post radiotherapy treatment and again at one month. Results: Of 27 planned PRO CTCAE surveys of 9 patients, 22 (81%) were completed and available for evaluation. 6/9 (67%) of patients taking the PRO CTCAE reported “severe” or “very severe” side effects. The most commonly reported “severe” or “very severe” symptoms were fatigue (6/9, 67%), insomnia (3/9, 33%), anxiety (2/9, 22%), and sad/unhappy feelings (2/9, 22%). Of 123 planned EORTC QLQ C30 surveys of 41 patients, 109 (89%) were completed and accessible for evaluation. 38/41 (93%) of patients taking EORTC QLQ C30 reported side effects impacting their lives “quite a bit” or “very much”. The most common symptoms impacting patients “quite a bit” and/or “very much” were fatigue (25/41, 61%), pain (17/41, 41%), insomnia (15/41, 37%), and worry (14/41, 34%). Conclusions: Gaps that may exist between the quality of care we wish to provide and the care patients experience may be recognized and addressed by incorporating PROs into our standard clinical practice. Integrating electronic PROs into our clinical systems will help us to more reliably identify unmet patient health needs, personalize care, and respond to side effects and symptoms that are of the greatest concern to patients.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0732-183X
,
1527-7755
DOI:
10.1200/JCO.2017.35.31_suppl.94
Language:
English
Publisher:
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Publication Date:
2017
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2005181-5
