Impact of telephone monitoring on cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastrectomy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate telephone monitoring for symptoms, quality of life, distress, admissions to the emergency center and the satisfaction of cancer patients undergoing esophagectomy and gastrectomy. Method: Randomized controlled study in two groups, carried out at the Cancer Institute of the State of Sao Paulo; the intervention group received telephone monitoring for four moments after the surgery, while the control group received only institutional care. Results: Of the 81 patients evaluated, the domain most affected by quality of life was social relationships domain. Distress had no significant difference between groups and moments. In both groups, admissions to the emergency center were similar (p=0.539). Pain was the most reported symptom in telephone monitoring. There was statistical significance regarding patient satisfaction with monitoring (p=0.002). Conclusion: Telephone monitoring provided greater patient satisfaction in the intervention group, demonstrating the real impact of this process on the care of cancer patients.

Oncological surgery follow-up and quality of life: meta-analysis

“…Eleven of these studies showed no significant difference compared with traditional in-hospital specialist care, resulting in non-inferiority of the nurse- or general practitioner-led follow-up. Two studies 47 , 49 reported significant differences favouring the follow-up scheme conducted by specialist nurses, showing positive changes in HRQoL.…”

“…Three studies focused on a total of 565 patients after oncological gynaecological treatment; all were considered to have a low risk of bias. Sample size ranged from 24 to 385 37 , 47 , 49 . Two studies focused on nurse-led follow-up and one study considered patient-initiated follow-up as the minimal intensive follow-up.…”

“…Several studies provide insights into how patients evaluate telephone follow-up after treatment for colorectal cancer, breast cancer, gynaecological cancer, and cancer of the upper gastrointestinal tract 23 , 24 , 39 , 40 , 43 , 46 , 47 , 50 . None of the included studies showed any negative effects on HRQoL, emotional well-being or patient satisfaction during telephone follow-up.…”

Actions of a cancer surveillance technical group based on the perspective of advocacy

“…Post-operative telephone monitoring, following hospital discharge, of cancer patients, although already used, configured a highly effective alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic. This method allows continuity of care, providing education and guidance to patients according to their needs (4) . Another effective idea in surveillance actions is the early detection of cervical cancer (CC) through organized screening programs, which rely on Primary Health Care (PHC) to attract women for carrying out the cervix cytopathological examination, and then, if there is a high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, refer them to the secondary care network (5) .…”

Ações de um grupo técnico de vigilância do câncer na perspectiva do advocacy

“…O monitoramento telefônico de pós-operatórios, após alta hospitalar, de pacientes com câncer, ainda que já fosse utilizado, configurou uma alternativa altamente eficaz durante a pandemia da COVID-19. Esse método permite a continuidade do cuidado, oferecendo ensino e orientações aos pacientes de acordo com as necessidades (4) . Outra ideia eficaz nas ações de vigilância é a detecção precoce de câncer do colo do útero (CCU) por meio de programas organizados de rastreamento, que dependem da Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS) na captação das mulheres para a realização do exame citopatológico do colo do útero, e depois, caso haja lesão intraepitelial escamosa de alto grau, encaminhamento para a rede de atenção secundária (5) .…”