Involving patients to improve their care through real-time patient reported outcome (PRO)-CTCAE chemotoxicity surveys in an outpatient chemodaycare (DC) setting: Evaluating patient acceptability.

Abstract

64 Background: In a busy DC setting, the efficiency of identifying important treatment toxicities is essential to quality care. Using a systematic approach to collecting patient-reported outcomes in the waiting rooms of DC units is one possible means of improving care while involving patients. This study reports such a pilot study, and the associated assessment of patient acceptance of this approach. Methods: 156 cancer patients over the age of 18 receiving chemotherapy treatment at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre completed a patient-reported chemotoxicity assessment using PRO-CTCAE items on tablet technology. Main symptoms assessed were: fatigue, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea and constipation, pain, aching muscles and/or joints and dysgeusia. Patient’s perception on the usefulness of PROMs and their willingness to complete such a tool routinely was assessed. Results: The median age was 53.5 (range: 19-88 years), 38% were male and 66% were Caucasian. Over 80% did not find the survey overly time consuming (or made their visit more difficult). Less than 1% were distressed by the survey questions. Over 80% reported that the survey asked the appropriate questions. While 81% considered the PROMs useful in informing their physician of their symptoms, 25% reported they would not be willing to complete the survey at each clinic visit. Another 25% were unsure of their feelings toward this approach. 93% were happy to complete the survey using tablet touchscreen technology. Conclusions: Most patients found the survey method of self-reporting one’s symptoms to be acceptable, non-distressful, and an important practice. From the patient perspective, the process of reporting one’s symptoms using tablet touchscreen technology is both simple and feasible.Yet, only 50% of patients would be willing to complete this survey at every clinic visit. Additional mixed-methods analysis looking at patient characteristics associated with acceptance/non-acceptance and willingness to complete the survey on a regular basis is ongoing and will be reported at the conference.