The use and impact of quality of life assessment tools in clinical care settings for cancer patients, with a particular emphasis on brain cancer: insights from a systematic review and stakeholder consultations

Abstract

PurposePatient-reported data are playing an increasing role in health care. In oncology, data from quality of life (QoL) assessment tools may be particularly important for those with limited survival prospects, where treatments aim to prolong survival while maintaining or improving QoL. This paper examines the use and impact of using QoL measures on health care of cancer patients within a clinical setting, particularly those with brain cancer. It also examines facilitators and challenges, and provides implications for policy and practice.DesignWe conducted a systematic literature review, 15 expert interviews and a consultation at an international summit.ResultsThe systematic review found no relevant intervention studies specifically in brain cancer patients, and after expanding our search to include other cancers, 15 relevant studies were identified. The evidence on the effectiveness of using QoL tools was inconsistent for patient management, but somewhat more consistent in favour of improving patient–physician communication. Interviews identified unharnessed potential and growing interest in QoL tool use and associated challenges to address.ConclusionOur findings suggest that the use of QoL tools in cancer patients may improve patient–physician communication and have the potential to improve care, but the tools are not currently widely used in clinical practice (in brain cancer nor some other cancer contexts) although they are in clinical trials. There is a need for further research and stakeholder engagement on how QoL tools can achieve most impact across cancer and patient contexts. There is also a need for policy, health professional, research and patient communities to strengthen information exchange and debate, support awareness raising and provide training on tool design, use and interpretation.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11136-016-1278-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Integration of oncology and palliative care: a Lancet Oncology Commission

“…Still, systematic symptom assessment is not part of routine oncological care, 381,[384][385][386] even though this is frequently employed in clinical trials. 387 For patients with advanced cancer, for whom symptom management is a central goal of care, systematic use of PROMs is even more important and is a prerequisite for optimal symptom management. 318 Relieving burdensome symptoms is therefore a core task within patient-centredness and a special obligation on part of the physicians.…”

Health‐Related Quality of Life in a Predictive Model for Mortality in Older Breast Cancer Survivors

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Health‐related quality of life in adolescents and young adults with cancer – Including a focus on economic evaluation

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“…All were developed with input from AYAs with cancer. For Impact of Cancer -Core Scale, this involved 64 young adults and for Late Adolescence and Young Adulthood Survivorship These measures all address AYAs but the CNQ-YP does not target [25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] year olds and has no content relating to sexual health and intimacy.…”

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