Piloting a screening tool in a breast cancer survivorship clinic.

Abstract

66 Background: Breast cancer survivors experience physical, psychosocial, and practical concerns. Our Adult Survivorship Clinic provides patients a comprehensive survivorship visit following curative intent therapy to identify and address these needs. This study assessed patient and staff feasibility, usefulness, and burden of a screening tool. Methods: Patients seen in the Robert H. Lurie Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic were randomly assigned to receive a screener (Coleman Supportive Oncology Tool including a concerns checklist & the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-4]) versus no screener prior to their survivorship clinic appointment. All patients were asked to complete the FACIT-TS-PS to assess treatment satisfaction following the appointment. The screener group also completed an additional set of screener acceptability questions. The survivorship clinician completed a questionnaire after each patient visit. Results: Patients with breast cancer (n = 100) were randomized. Twenty-six (52%) of the participants not given a screener and 26 (52%) of the participants given a screener completed the FACIT TS-PS. 48% of participants were age 55 years or older and 54% received chemotherapy. While there were no statistically significant differences between the groups, both groups scored high on the FACIT TS-PS. Screener patients provided high ratings for the satisfaction survey with 100% of the respondents reporting the screener was “probably” or “definitely” clear and relevant. 85% reported that the questions provided little or no distress. The median time to complete the tool was 4 to 5 minutes. The survivorship provider reported that in 47% of patients (23/49) the screener uncovered an additional significant concern. In 35% of screened patients (17/49), the provider felt the screener prompted an additional referral to supportive oncology services or a medical specialist. Conclusions: A comprehensive and brief screener for patient concerns was feasible and acceptable for both patients and provider. Even in the context of a comprehensive survivorship visit, a screening tool uncovered additional concerns that led to supportive care referrals.