POSTCare-O: A survivorship care transition for women with ovarian cancer.

Abstract

e17583 Background: The POSTCare survivorship care transition is efficacious as a quality-of-life intervention for patients diagnosed with breast cancer but has not been studied in women with ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer patients who complete treatment face unprecedented uncertainty regarding survivorship including life expectancy, and the balance of healthcare demands with living well. The routine provision of automated survivorship care plans (SCPs) by advanced practice providers (APPs) is a standardized approach which does not consider the unique needs of ovarian cancer survivors. Aim: To adapt the POSTCare intervention for ovary cancer patients by incorporating a component of concurrent palliative care and tailoring the skills of an existing workforce. Methods: We provided web-based training to APPs from Gyn Oncology programs. Qualitative methods explored the POSTCare protocol, ideas for adapting the intervention, and training preferences. We conducted semi-structured interviews with nurses who completed the POSTCare-O web-based training and utilized components of the POSTCare model in clinical care. The goal was to discover the elements of the model that worked well in their setting, which elements they can utilize routinely to meet the needs of patients, and which elements they find most satisfying. Results: Nine advanced practice providers completed online training and follow up assessment. All participants passed the final competency assessment (role play skills check). Exit interview data revealed four areas where participants reported changes in their own perceptions and skills related to survivorship care that they attributed to the POSTCare-O training program. APPs reported the training increased their competency in palliative care skills and left them better able to support survivors in the face of uncertainty. Specifically, the training; (1) enhanced their communication skills; (2) developed their understanding of survivorship care as more than just surveillance; and (3) demonstrated how to implement patient driven goal setting. Conclusions: POSTCare intervention can serve as a platform for delivery of components of early concurrent palliative care that is acceptable to ovarian cancer patients who remain focused on life-prolonging treatments. POSTCare-O web based training improved APPs appreciation of the scope of survivorship care beyond just surveillance and management of physical effects. This training provided the tools necessary for clinicians to provide whole person care while implementing patient driven survivorship care planning.