[Trans-sectoral care for patients with colorectal cancer: Design of a prospective randomized controlled multi-center trial (FKZ 01GY1143)]

Influence of Early Predictive Nursing on Complications and Quality of Life in Patients after Colorectal Cancer Surgery

Objective

To analyze the effect of early predictive nursing on complications and quality of life in patients after colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

A total of 130 patients with colorectal cancer who were diagnosed and underwent surgical resection in our hospital from 2019 to 2021 were recruited and assigned via the random number table method (1 : 1) to receive either conventional nursing (routine group) or predictive nursing (study group). Outcome measures included the incidence of complications and the quality of life.

Results

Predictive nursing was associated with shorter operation time and hospital stay and less blood loss (2.35 ± 0.41, 9.32 ± 1.86, and 70.52 ± 16.52) versus conventional nursing (3.02 ± 0.78, 11.20 ± 2.14, and 81.51 ± 17.74) (all P < 0.05). Patients in the study group showed a lower incidence of complications than the control group (10.76% vs 35.38%) (all P < 0.05). Predictive nursing resulted in better anxiety relief than conventional nursing (P < 0.05). Predictive nursing was associated with higher emotional function, cognitive function, role function, and physical function scores (83.51 ± 12.56, 82.45 ± 9.15, 82.48 ± 10.46, 84.43 ± 13.48, and 82.73 ± 9.67) than conventional nursing (73.85 ± 13.54, 72.54 ± 12.74, 72.48 ± 10.45, 73.99 ± 14.51, and 72.45 ± 11.69) (all P < 0.05). Patients receiving predictive nursing showed a significantly higher nursing satisfaction versus conventional nursing (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Early predictive nursing for patients receiving colorectal cancer surgery can lower the incidence of complications, effectively improve the quality of life of patients, shorten the hospital stay, reduce the amount of bleeding, and enhance the satisfaction of patients.

PRO-ONKO-selection of patient-reported outcome assessments for the clinical use in cancer patients-a mixed-method multicenter cross-sectional exploratory study

PURPOSE

Cancer patients frequently suffer from multiple symptoms often impairing functional status and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). A comprehensive assessment including patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is recommended to enable individualized supportive care. However, PRO assessments are still not part of routine clinical practice. Therefore, this project aimed to compile an item pool from validated assessment instruments to facilitate the use of PROs for clinical decision-making in oncology clinics.

METHODS

This qualitative dominant mixed-method cross-sectional exploratory study was carried out in four centers and comprised two stages. Stage I: Six interdisciplinary focus groups were conducted to choose questionnaires meeting particular clinical requirements. Stage II: Adult patients with heterogeneous cancer diagnoses, receiving in- or out-patient treatment were asked to participate and complete the chosen questionnaires (participation 71/74). Resulting PROs were compared with clinical records. Health care professionals (HCPs) and patients rated the usefulness for routine clinical practice.

RESULTS

The European Organisation of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30 and Distress Thermometer were chosen for screening and M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) and EORTC single items for monitoring. Comparison of n = 88 PRO assessments with clinical records showed consistent documentation of side effects like fever and emesis. Symptoms like fatigue, sadness, or sleep disturbance were not documented regularly in the medical records but captured by PRO assessments. Patients and HCPs judged the chosen questionnaires and electronic data collection as useful.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should examine how PROs can complement or substitute routine documentation in order to achieve standardized assessment and documentation during the treatment process in different settings and examine possible benefits for patients.