The impact of an empowering Internet-based Breast Cancer Patient Pathway program on breast cancer patients' clinical outcomes: a randomised controlled trial

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (7-8) ◽  
pp. 1016-1025 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne M Ryhänen ◽  
Sirkku Rankinen ◽  
Mervi Siekkinen ◽  
Maiju Saarinen ◽  
Heikki Korvenranta ◽  
...  
BMJ Open ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. e002266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudia Goss ◽  
Alberto Ghilardi ◽  
Giuseppe Deledda ◽  
Chiara Buizza ◽  
Alessandro Bottacini ◽  
...  

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Margarete Karsten ◽  
Friedrich Kühn ◽  
Therese Pross ◽  
Jens-Uwe Blohmer ◽  
Anna Maria Hage ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Despite the progress of research and treatment for breast cancer, still up to 30% of the patients afflicted will develop distant disease. Elongation of survival and maintaining the quality of life (QoL) become pivotal issues guiding the treatment decisions. One possible approach to optimise survival and QoL is the use of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to timely identify acute disease-related burden. We present the protocol of a trial that investigates the effect of real-time PRO data captured with electronic mobile devices on QoL in female breast cancer patients with metastatic disease. Methods This study is a randomised, controlled trial with 1:1 randomisation between two arms. A total of 1000 patients will be recruited in 40 selected breast cancer centres. Patients in the intervention arm receive a weekly request via an app to complete the PRO survey. Symptoms will be assessed by study-specific optimised short forms based on the EORTC QLQ-C30 domains using items from the EORTC CAT item banks. In case of deteriorating PRO scores, an alarm is sent to the treating study centre as well as to the PRO B study office. Following the alarm, the treating breast cancer centre is required to contact the patient to inquire about the reported symptoms and to intervene, if necessary. The intervention is not specified and depends on the clinical need determined by the treating physician. Patients in the control arm are prompted by the app every 3 months to participate in the PRO survey, but their response will not trigger an alarm. The primary outcome is the fatigue level 6 months after enrolment. Secondary endpoints include among others hospitalisations, use of rescue services and overall QoL. Discussion Within the PRO B intervention group, we expect lower fatigue levels 6 months after intervention start, higher levels of QoL, less unplanned hospitalisations and less emergency room visits compared to controls. In case of positive results, our approach would allow a fast and easy transfer into clinical practice due to the use of the already nationwide existing IT infrastructure of the German Cancer Society and the independent certification institute OnkoZert. Trial registration DRKS (German Clinical Trials Register) DRKS00024015. Registered on 15 February 2021


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 531-543
Author(s):  
Yuko K Abbott

Summary This study was conducted to understand the impact of oncology social work office location on breast cancer patients’ access and utilization of social work services. It also explored the current status of oncology social work offices and the perceptions among Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members. The frequency and types of interventions and referral time were determined retrospectively. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv members were surveyed. Findings From 461 new breast cancer patient charts, 52 were referred to social work during study period. Face-to-face interventions decreased by 0.8 contact ( p = .0221) and telephone interventions increased by 1.8 contacts ( p = .0293) after social work office was relocated away from clinical area. Referral time to social work services decreased unexpectedly by 14.5 days ( p = .076) after office relocation. Association of Oncology Social Work Listserv survey results identify an office location as possible barrier, though most respondents have a private office in clinical area, accessible to patients. Survey finding is limited due to low response rate. Applications There are many challenges to ensuring timey and effective delivery of social work services to breast cancer patients. Social Ecological framework is used to understand the impacts of office location on access to social work services. Study results suggest that office relocation has had mix impacts on patients. Raising awareness of social worker services among patients early in cancer trajectory is needed for patient empowerment and to ensure access to social work services. Further research is needed to understand barriers, identify effective strategies in order to guide and improve clinical practice.


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