Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Radiotherapy: Clinical Advances and Research Opportunities in Measurement for Survivorship

S Faithfull; A Lemanska; T Chen

doi:10.1016/j.clon.2015.07.007

Patient-reported Outcome Measures in Radiotherapy: Clinical Advances and Research Opportunities in Measurement for Survivorship

Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol). 2015 Nov;27(11):679-85. doi: 10.1016/j.clon.2015.07.007. Epub 2015 Sep 28.

Authors

S Faithfull¹, A Lemanska², T Chen³

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. Electronic address: s.faithfull@surrey.ac.uk.
² School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
³ Department of Chemical and Processing Engineering, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.

PMID: 26423636
DOI: 10.1016/j.clon.2015.07.007

Abstract

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are a useful way of recording patient perceptions of the impact of their cancer and the consequences of treatment. Understanding the impact of radiotherapy longer term requires tools that are sensitive to change but also meaningful for patients. PROMs are useful in defining symptom severity but also the burden of illness for cancer patients. Patient-reported outcomes are increasingly being seen as a way to improve practice by enhancing communication, improving symptom management as well as identifying patient care needs. This paper provides an overview of the use of PROMs in radiotherapy and considerations for tool choice, analysis and the logistics of routine data collection. Consistent assessment is essential to detect patient problems as a result of radiotherapy, but also to address emerging symptoms promptly.

Keywords: Multidimensional measures; PROMs; survivorship.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Female
Humans
Male
Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Outcome Assessment, Health Care
Patient Outcome Assessment*
Survival Rate