A prospective study of the feasibility and acceptability of a Web-based, electronic patient-reported outcome system in assessing patient recovery after major gynecologic cancer surgery

Abstract

Purpose The purposes of this study are to evaluate the feasibility of capturing patient-reported outcomes (PROs) electronically and to identify the most common distressing symptoms in women recovering from major gynecologic cancer surgery. Methods This was a prospective, single-arm pilot study. Eligible participants included those scheduled for a laparotomy for presumed or known gynecologic malignancy. Patients completed a Web-based “STAR” (Symptoms Tracking and Reporting for Patients) questionnaire once preoperatively and weekly during the 6-week postoperative period. The questionnaire consisted of the patient adaptation of the NCI CTCAE 3.0 and EORTC QLQ-C30 3.0. When a patient submitted a response that was concerning, an automated email alert was sent to the clinician. The patient’s assessment of STAR’s usefulness was measured via an exit survey. Results Forty-nine patients completed the study. The procedures included the following: hysterectomy +/− staging (67%), resection of tumor (22%), salpingo-oophorectomy (6%), and other (4%). Most patients (82%) completed at least 4 sessions in STAR. The CTC generated 43 alerts. These alerts resulted in 25 telephone contacts with patients, 2 ER referrals, one new appointment, and one pharmaceutical prescription. The 3 most common patient-reported symptoms generating an alert were as follows: poor performance status (19%), nausea (18%), and fatigue (17%). Most patients found STAR useful (80%) and would recommend it to others (85%). Conclusion Application of a Web-based, electronic STAR system is feasible in the postoperative period, highly accepted by patients, and warrants further study. Poor performance status, nausea, and fatigue were the most common distressing patient-reported symptoms.

Comparison of Patient- and Practitioner-Reported Toxic Effects Associated With Chemoradiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

“…The use of Internet and mobile devices that allow patients to report symptoms as they occur could provide additional insight into the timing and severity of symptoms. 16–18 …”

Electronic patient-reported outcomes from home in patients recovering from major gynecologic cancer surgery: A prospective study measuring symptoms and health-related quality of life

“…The patients, study design, and online platform were previously described in a pilot report on the feasibility and acceptability of this Web-based system [7]. English-speaking patients 18 years of age and older, who were scheduled to undergo laparotomy for presumed or known gynecologic malignancy, were recruited to participate.…”

“…Our previously published pilot study suggested that the use of a Web-based system to capture PROs is feasible and highly acceptable by patients in the acute postoperative period after major gynecologic surgery[7]. The objectives of this study were to update the experience of these patients, and to assess patient and provider satisfaction and feedback regarding the system.…”

A Comparative Study of Data Collection Methods in the Process of Nursing: Detection of Chemotherapy Side Effects Using a Self-Reporting Questionnaire

“…Th ese conditions often are not considered really compromising by attending physicians from a prescriptive point of view, but prove to be highly invalidating [21][22][23] from the point of view of patients. In particular, highly signifi cant results are achieved concerning the presence of alteration of bowel function, pain, anxiety and depression, malaise, fatigue and abnormal sleep-rest pattern 8,24 , as such toxicities, very frequently suggested by patients, tend to be underestimated and undervalued by operators [25][26][27][28][29] ( Table 2, Fig. 2).…”