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Mohseni M, Ayatollahi H, Arefpour AM. Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) application for patients with prostate cancer. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289974. [PMID: 37566604 PMCID: PMC10420387 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cancer patients experience different complications and outcomes during or after medical treatments. Electronic reporting of the outcomes by patients is a solution that facilitates communication with physicians and improve patient health status. The aim of this study was to develop a smartphone-based application for electronic reporting of outcomes by patients with prostate cancer. METHODS The present research was conducted in 2021 in two phases. In the first phase, initially, users' requirements were identified based on reviewing the related literature, existing applications, and guidelines. Then, a questionnaire was designed and the specialists' opinions about the users' requirements were investigated. The specialties included urologists, hemato-oncologists, uro-oncologists, and radiotherapists (n = 15). In the second phase, the application was designed, and patients with prostate cancer (n = 21) and specialists (n = 10) evaluated it using the post-study system usability questionnaire (PSSUQ). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS The findings of the first phase of the research showed that out of 108 data elements and functions proposed for the application, 91 items were found essential by the specialists. Data elements were categorized into the patient data, general complications of prostate cancer and side effects of drug therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy. Necessary functions for the application included presenting a patient care summary, communication between the patient and the specialist, free text explanation for complications and sides effects, generating reports, reminder and alert, completing quality of life questionnaire, and calculating the score for the questionnaire. In the second phase of the research, the application was developed and evaluated. The mean value for user satisfaction was (5.95 ± 0.55) out of 7. CONCLUSION The developed application can help to accelerate communication with the specialists. It can improve quality of care, reduce unnecessary treatment visits and side effects, and improve timely data collection for a variety of research purposes. However, further research on the cost-effectiveness and usefulness of the collected data is recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Mohseni
- Department of Health Information Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Ayatollahi
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Mohammad Arefpour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Gong R, Zhang L, Su X, Lei C, Yu H, Huang Y, Zhang J, Xu W, Pu Y, Wei X, Yu Q, Shi Q. Remote research burden of follow-up in longitudinal patient-reported outcomes (PROs) data collection: An exploratory sequential mixed-methods study (Preprint).. [DOI: 10.2196/preprints.51290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Longitudinal patient-reported outcomes studies require questionnaire assessments to be administered remotely multiple times, burdening research staff.
OBJECTIVE
To define and quantify the burden that researcher may experience during patient follow-up.
METHODS
Data were collected via interviews and a questionnaire. This study is an exploratory sequential mixed-methods study. Traditional content analysis was used for the qualitative data. Quantitative data were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation, and significance was tested using the chi-square test. Learning curves of healthcare staff regarding follow-up calls were generated using cumulative summation analysis.
RESULTS
We constructed a three-dimension conceptual framework for staff burden: (a) time-related burden, (b) technical-related burden, and (c) emotional-related burden. The quantitative analysis found that follow-up time was significantly correlated with staff experience, workload, and learning curve periods. There was a significant difference between the lost-to-follow-up rate of staff with and without follow-up experience with this program. Staff working on a daily assessment schedule had a higher lost-to-follow-up rate than those on a twice-a-week schedule. Additionally, inexperienced follow-up staff needed 113 calls to achieve stable follow-up time and quality, while experienced staff needed only 55 calls.
CONCLUSIONS
Researchers in longitudinal PROs projects suffer from a multidimensional burden during remote follow-up. Our results may help establish a proper PROs follow-up protocol to reduce the burden on research staff without sacrificing data quality.
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Hoon SN, Lawrie I, Qi C, Rahman N, Maskell N, Forbes K, Gerry S, Monterosso L, Chauhan A, Brims FJH. Symptom Burden and Unmet Needs in Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma: Exploratory Analyses From the RESPECT-Meso Study. J Palliat Care 2020; 36:113-120. [PMID: 32791881 DOI: 10.1177/0825859720948975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) has a poor prognosis and high symptom burden. RESPECT-Meso was a multicenter randomized study examining the role of early specialist palliative care (SPC) on quality of life (QoL) with MPM. This is a post-hoc exploratory analysis of the symptom burden and unmet needs identified from RESPECT-Meso participants. METHODS Exploratory analysis from 174 participants using the General Health Status (GHS) measure (from the EORTC QLQ-C30 QoL questionnaire) and 87 participants using validated assessment questionnaires in those randomized to SPC. Eligibility for the study included confirmed MPM with diagnosis <6 weeks prior, performance score (PS) 0 or 1, no significant physical or psychological comorbidity. Cox proportional hazards models were derived to examine for relationships with survival. Free text was assessed using content analysis, looking for common themes and words. RESULTS Participants were predominantly male (79.9%), mean age 72.8 years, PS was 0 in 38%, 78% of MPM was epithelioid. At least 3 symptoms were reported in 69.8% of participants, including fatigue (81%), dyspnea (73.3%), pain (61.2%), weight loss (59.3%). Anxiety was reported by 54.7% of participants, 52.3% low mood and 48.8% anhedonia symptoms. After multivariable adjustment, only pain remained statistically significant with a hazard ratio (HR) 2.9 (95% CI 1.3-6.7; p = 0.01). For each 1 unit increase in GHS score, the HR for death was 0.987 (0.978-0.996; p = 0.006), indicating a worse reported QoL is related to shorter survival. Unmet needs were common: 25.9% wanted more information about their condition, 24.7% about their care and 21.2% about their treatment. 79.1% were concerned about the effect of their illness on family. CONCLUSION There is a high symptom burden in mesothelioma despite good baseline performance status. A worse QoL is associated with a worse survival. Unmet needs are common, perhaps highlighting a need for improved communication and information sharing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siao Nge Hoon
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, 1649Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Iain Lawrie
- Department of Palliative Medicine, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Cathy Qi
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Najib Rahman
- Oxford Respiratory Trials Unit, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nick Maskell
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Forbes
- Department of Palliative Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Gerry
- Centre for Statistics in Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Leanne Monterosso
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Notre Dame, Fremantle, Australia.,School of Nursing and Midwifery, Edith Cowan University.,St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Murdoch, Australia
| | - Anoop Chauhan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.,Research & Innovation Department, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, Portsmouth, United Kingdom.,School of Health Sciences and Social Work, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, United Kingdom
| | - Fraser J H Brims
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.,Curtin Medical School, 1649Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Gelzinis TA. The 2019 ERS/ESTS/EACTS/ESTRO Guidelines on the Management of Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth 2020; 35:378-388. [PMID: 32798169 DOI: 10.1053/j.jvca.2020.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare aggressive cancer, with insidious growth, and is associated with poor outcomes that have not improved over the years. A task force made up of members of the European Respiratory Society (ERS)/European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS)/European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)/European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) societies, who are experts in the field of malignant mesothelioma, reviewed the literature from 2009 to 2018 to update the 2009 guidelines concerning epidemiology, diagnosis, staging, and treatment, including surgical, radiotherapy, and medical management, as well as palliative care to provide the best evidence-based recommendations for this patient population.
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Mendoza TR. New Developments in the Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer Patients Undergoing Immunotherapies. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1244:335-339. [PMID: 32301027 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-41008-7_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/12/2023]
Abstract
In a previous chapter, how best to measure symptoms was discussed, the desirable properties of a psychometrically valid symptom assessment tool were listed, available symptom assessment tools were reviewed, methods to assist in the interpretation of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) data were provided, and the current use of PROs in immunotherapy was described. Two areas for further research were also identified. These two areas were (1) deciding on the frequency of administration of symptom assessment and (2) determining the adequacy of the chosen symptom list to cover both known and unknown effects of immunotherapy. This brief update provides new developments on these two critical issues that are of significant concerns to researchers and clinicians who are investigating the use of immunotherapies either singly or in combination in cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito R Mendoza
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
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Haun JN, Alman AC, Melillo C, Standifer M, McMahon-Grenz J, Shin M, Lapcevic WA, Patel N, Elwy AR. Using Electronic Data Collection Platforms to Assess Complementary and Integrative Health Patient-Reported Outcomes: Feasibility Project. JMIR Med Inform 2020; 8:e15609. [PMID: 32589163 PMCID: PMC7381258 DOI: 10.2196/15609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Veteran Administration (VA) Office of Patient-Centered Care and Cultural Transformation is invested in improving veteran health through a whole-person approach while taking advantage of the electronic resources suite available through the VA. Currently, there is no standardized process to collect and integrate electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) of complementary and integrative health (CIH) into clinical care using a web-based survey platform. This quality improvement project enrolled veterans attending CIH appointments within a VA facility and used web-based technologies to collect ePROs. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to (1) determine a practical process for collecting ePROs using patient email services and a web-based survey platform and (2) conduct analyses of survey data using repeated measures to estimate the effects of CIH on patient outcomes. METHODS In total, 100 veterans from one VA facility, comprising 11 cohorts, agreed to participate. The VA patient email services (Secure Messaging) were used to manually send links to a 16-item web-based survey stored on a secure web-based survey storage platform (Qualtrics). Each survey included questions about patient outcomes from CIH programs. Each cohort was sent survey links via Secure Messaging (SM) at 6 time points: weeks 1 through 4, week 8, and week 12. Process evaluation interviews were conducted with five primary care providers to assess barriers and facilitators to using the patient-reported outcome survey in usual care. RESULTS This quality improvement project demonstrated the usability of SM and Qualtrics for ePRO collection. However, SM for ePROs was labor intensive for providers. Descriptive statistics on health competence (2-item Perceived Health Competence Scale), physical and mental health (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Global-10), and stress (4-item Perceived Stress Scale) indicated that scores did not significantly change over time. Survey response rates varied (18/100, 18.0%-42/100, 42.0%) across each of the 12 weekly survey periods. In total, 74 of 100 participants provided ≥1 survey, and 90% (66/74) were female. The majority, 62% (33/53) of participants, who reported the use of any CIH modality, reported the use of two or more unique modalities. Primary care providers highlighted specific challenges with SM and offered solutions regarding staff involvement in survey implementation. CONCLUSIONS This quality improvement project informs our understanding of the processes currently available for using SM and web-based data platforms to collect ePROs. The study results indicate that although it is possible to use SM and web-based survey platforms for ePROs, automating scheduled administration will be necessary to reduce provider burden. The lack of significant change in ePROs may be due to standard measures taking a biomedical approach to wellness. Future work should focus on identifying ideal ePRO processes that would include standardized, whole-person measures of wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolie N Haun
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Community & Family Health, College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Amy C Alman
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Christine Melillo
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Maisha Standifer
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States.,Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Julie McMahon-Grenz
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Marlena Shin
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, United States
| | - W A Lapcevic
- Research Service, James A. Haley VA Medical Center, Tampa, FL, United States
| | - Nitin Patel
- Performance Improvement and Reporting, VHA Office of Community Care, Department of Veteran Affairs, Washington, DC, United States
| | - A Rani Elwy
- Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, United States.,Brown University, Providence, RI, United States
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Mendoza TR, Williams LA, Keating KN, Siegel J, Elbi C, Nowak AK, Hassan R, Cuffel B, Cleeland CS. Evaluation of the psychometric properties and minimally important difference of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MDASI-MPM). J Patient Rep Outcomes 2019; 3:34. [PMID: 31209661 PMCID: PMC6579804 DOI: 10.1186/s41687-019-0122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Symptom assessment requires psychometrically validated questionnaires that are easy to use, relevant to the disease, and quick to administer. The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MDASI-MPM) was adapted from the general (core) MDASI to assess the severity of cancer-related and treatment-related symptoms specific to patients with this condition. The MDASI-MPM includes the 13 core MDASI symptoms, which are experienced by most cancer patients, and 6 MPM-specific items developed via qualitative interviewing, a method favored by the US Food and Drug Administration for instrument item generation and development. Qualitative interviewing that summarizes the item generation and development for the MDASI-MPM is detailed in a separate report. The psychometric study reported here was the next step in developing the validation dossier for the MDASI-MPM. RESULTS In this secondary analysis of data from a Phase II trial, 248 patients provided MDASI-MPM data at multiple timepoints during therapy. Over time, fatigue, pain, shortness of breath, feeling of malaise, and muscle weakness were consistently the worst symptoms reported; symptoms interfered most with work and general activity and least with relations with others. Cronbach coefficient alpha values for all MDASI-MPM subscales were at least 0.88 at baseline and 0.91 during treatment, indicating good internal consistency reliability. Intraclass correlations of at least 0.86 for all MDASI-MPM subscales administered a cycle apart (n = 82) were indicative of good test-retest reliability. Correlations between MDASI-MPM subscales and LCSS-Meso scores were at least 0.70 (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Patients with good performance status had significantly lower scores than did patients with poor performance status (all P < 0.05), supporting evidence for known-group validity and sensitivity. Effect-size differences were 0.69 and higher, indicating medium-to-large effects. The minimally important difference in the MDASI-MPM subscales ranged from 1.0 to 1.5 points on a 0-10 scale. CONCLUSIONS Symptoms specific to a particular cancer, treatment method, or treatment site can be added to the core MDASI to create a tailored, "fit for purpose" instrument. We found the MDASI-MPM to be a valid, reliable, and responsive (sensitive) instrument for assessing the severity of symptoms of patients with MPM and their interference in patients' daily functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tito R Mendoza
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1450, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Loretta A Williams
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1450, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Karen N Keating
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, 100 Bayer Boulevard, Whippany, NJ, 07981, USA
| | - Jonathan Siegel
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, 100 Bayer Boulevard, Whippany, NJ, 07981, USA
| | - Cem Elbi
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, 100 Bayer Boulevard, Whippany, NJ, 07981, USA
| | - Anna K Nowak
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, UWA Medical School, The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Raffit Hassan
- Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Malignancies Branch, NCI/CCR, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Brian Cuffel
- Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals, 100 Bayer Boulevard, Whippany, NJ, 07981, USA
| | - Charles S Cleeland
- Department of Symptom Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Unit 1450, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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