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. 2014 Feb;12(1):69-73.
doi: 10.1017/S1478951513000345. Epub 2013 Oct 16.

Use of an electronic patient-reported outcome measurement system to improve distress management in oncology

Sophia K Smith  1 , Krista Rowe  2 , Amy P Abernethy  1
Affiliations

Use of an electronic patient-reported outcome measurement system to improve distress management in oncology

Sophia K Smith et al. Palliat Support Care. 2014 Feb.

Abstract

Objective: Management of patient distress is a critical task in cancer nursing and cancer practice. Here we describe two examples of how an electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) measurement system implemented into routine oncology care can practically aid clinical and research tasks related to distress management.

Methods: Tablet personal computers were used to routinely complete a standardized ePRO review of systems surveys at point of care during every encounter in the Duke Oncology outpatient clinics. Two cases of use implementation are explored: (1) triaging distressed patients for optimal care, and (2) psychosocial program evaluation research.

Results: Between 2009 and 2011, the ePRO system was used to collect information during 17,338 Duke Oncology patient encounters. The system was used to monitor patients for psychosocial distress employing an electronic clinical decision support algorithm, with 1,952 (11.3%) referrals generated for supportive services. The system was utilized to examine the efficacy of a psychosocial care intervention documenting statistically significant improvements in distress, despair, fatigue, and quality of life (QOL) in 50 breast cancer patients.

Significance of results: ePRO solutions can guide best practice management of cancer patient distress. Nurses play a key role in implementation and utilization.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Electronic Patient-reported Outcome (ePRO) System statistics for Duke Oncology outpatient clinics showing PCM encounters triggering a distress screen flag.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pathfinders common language: seven pillars of personal recovery.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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