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Exploring cancer patients’ perspectives on implementing electronic patient-reported outcome measures to enhance patient-centred care: a qualitative study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Systematic symptom management is a crucial component in patient-centred cancer care. Despite advancements in symptom management and the development of numerous electronic patient-reported outcome tools (ePROMs), integrating these tools into clinical practice remains challenging. As part of an innovation and implementation study aimed at enhancing efficiency and patient-centred care through the development of digital patient-centred care pathways, we explored cancer patients’ perspectives on current clinical practice regarding symptom management and patient-centred care (PCC), as well as their needs and preferences related to ePROMs. Engaging key stakeholders, including patients, in the development of ePROM tools is pivotal to fostering the adaption of such tools.
Objective:
To explore cancer patients’ experiences with patient-centred care and symptom management, and to examine their perspectives on needs and preferences related to the use of ePROMs in clinical practice.
Methods:
A two-stage qualitative approach was utilised. Stage 1 involved semi-structured individual interviews to explore patients’ experiences with symptom management and patient-centred care. In Stage 2, structured sessions were conducted to gain a deeper understanding into patients’ perspectives on the feasibility and utility of an ePROM tool to enhance PCC.
Results:
Two main themes were developed through a reflexive thematic analysis process: 1) Symptom management in the shadow of disease-centred care, and 2) ePROMs: Bridging holistic care and disease management. Patients primarily focused on their illness, progression, and treatment, often overshadowing symptom management. They took significant responsibility for addressing symptoms during meetings with healthcare professionals (HCPs), and felt adequately supported by them, impacting their expectations for symptom management. Furthermore, patients had various expectations and needs for the tool, contrasting with current practices. Additionally, they anticipate challenges in using ePROM tools, contrasting with their expectation and needs.
Conclusions:
This study underscores the importance of involving patients in the development of ePROM tools to ensure their relevance and effectiveness. Patients experience that the implementation of ePROMs have the potential to fosters a more holistic approach to cancer care and shifts some responsibility from patients to HCPs.
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