Description:
<jats:p>Introduction: Despite growing interest in integrating patient-reported outcome
(PRO) measures of symptoms and functional status into routine cancer care, little
attention has been paid to patients’ and clinicians’ perceptions of acceptability and
value.Methods: A two-phase qualitative study was conducted to develop a web-based PRO
screening system with 21 items assessing symptoms (e.g., nausea) and functional status.
Phase 1 involved cognitive interviews with 35 cancer outpatients (n=9 breast
chemotherapy, radiation for prostate (n=8) or head and neck cancer (n=10), and n=8 bone
marrow transplant [BMT]). In Phase 2, we evaluated the acceptability and perceived value
of reviewing a PRO measure during real-time clinical encounters with 39 additional
outpatients (n=10 breast, n=9 head and neck, n=10 prostate, n=10 BMT) and 12 clinicians
(n=3 breast, n=2 head and neck, n=4 prostate, n=3 BMT). At least 20% of patients were
≥60 years, African American, or ≤ high school.Results: Patients felt that their PRO
summary of symptoms and functional status was helpful in discussing health issues with
clinicians (92%), wanted to review their results with clinicians during future visits
(82%), and would recommend it to other patients (87%). Clinicians found the PRO summary
to be easy to interpret (83%), most helpful for documenting the Review of Symptoms
(92%), and would recommend it to future patients (92%). Over 90% of clinicians reported
that consultation time did not increase.Conclusion: Both cancer patients and clinicians
reported that discussing a PRO summary of symptoms and functional status during an
outpatient visit was useful, acceptable, and feasible.</jats:p>