Using ePROMs for follow-up after palliative radiotherapy: An exploratory study with patients and health care providers

Eva Oldenburger; Inge Neyens; Annemarie Coolbrandt; Sofie Isebaert; Aline Sevenants; Chantal Van Audenhove; Karin Haustermans

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2021.11.022

Using ePROMs for follow-up after palliative radiotherapy: An exploratory study with patients and health care providers

Patient Educ Couns. 2022 Jul;105(7):2355-2361. doi: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.11.022. Epub 2021 Nov 27.

Authors

Eva Oldenburger¹, Inge Neyens², Annemarie Coolbrandt³, Sofie Isebaert⁴, Aline Sevenants², Chantal Van Audenhove², Karin Haustermans⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Palliative Care, University Hospitals Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: eva.oldenburger@uzleuven.be.
² LUCAS KU Leuven Centre for Care Research & Consultancy, Leuven, Belgium.
³ Department of General Medical Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Oncology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

PMID: 34949467
DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.11.022

Abstract

Objectives: Patients treated with palliative radiotherapy may experience symptoms decreasing their quality of life. Electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROMs) could provide an opportunity to follow-up patients after treatment.

Methods: A mixed-method study was performed using self-constructed questionnaires, focus groups and interviews with patients and health care professionals (HCP). A qualitative approach was used to code the data.

Results: Forty-two patients, 21 radiation-oncologists, 15 general practitioners (GPs) and 24 home-care nurses completed a questionnaire. Ten patients, 6 radiation-oncologists, 14 GPs and 5 nurses were interviewed or participated in a focus group. Although patients and HCP are satisfied with current care, they believe ePROMs could improve follow-up, communication, continuity of care and self-management of symptoms. An easy to use, versatile ePROM platform seems to be important for successful implementation. Self-care tips and contact information should be added to relevant ePROM-questions, on both physical and psychological symptoms.

Conclusion: Patients and HCP agree that ePROMs could improve systematical clinical follow-up after palliative radiotherapy, with self-management support being the primary objective of such a system. Practice implications ePROMs after palliative radiotherapy seem feasible, the exact patient population that could benefit the most will need to be explored further; as the palliative population is very diverse.

Keywords: Electronic patient reported outcome measures; Palliative radiotherapy; Patient-centered follow-up.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Electronics
Follow-Up Studies
Health Personnel
Humans
Palliative Care / methods
Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
Quality of Life* / psychology