Additional Value of Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring in Cancer Care: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: To describe the benefit of patient-reported symptom monitoring on clinical, other patient-reported, and economic outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic literature review using Medline/PubMed, limited to original articles published between 2011 and 2021 in English and Spanish, and focused on the benefit of patient-reported symptom monitoring on cancer patients. Results: We identified 16 reports that deal with the benefit of patient-reported symptom monitoring (collected mostly electronically) on different outcomes. Five studies showed that patient-reported symptom surveillance led to significantly improved survival compared with usual care—mainly through better symptom control, early detection of tumor recurrence, and extended chemotherapy use. Additionally, three evaluations demonstrated an improvement in Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) associated with this monitoring strategy, specifically by reducing symptom severity. Additionally, six studies observed that this monitoring approach prevented unplanned emergency room visits and hospital readmissions, leading to a substantial decrease in healthcare usage. Conclusions: There is consistent evidence across the studies that patient-reported symptom monitoring might entail a substantial survival benefit for cancer patients, better HRQoL, and a considerable decrease in healthcare usage. Nonetheless, more studies should be conducted to demonstrate their effectiveness in addition to their cost-effectiveness in clinical practice.

Safety of acupuncture in oncology: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…In therapy for oncological patients and in acupuncture treatments, there seems to be a discrepancy between the assessment of AEs by physicians and patients. [140][141][142] In the future, clarifying research regarding the different assessments will be useful.…”

“…In the context of AEs, it also must be discussed whether these should be reported by clinicians and patients. In therapy for oncological patients and in acupuncture treatments, there seems to be a discrepancy between the assessment of AEs by physicians and patients 140‐142 . In the future, clarifying research regarding the different assessments will be useful.…”

Digital Therapeutics in Oncology: A Better Outlook for Cancer Patients in the Future

“…Patients with advanced, incurable cancer who are undergoing anticancer treatment may have a variety of symptoms. Hence, the real-time monitoring of both symptoms and clinical syndromes will help oncologists better control symptoms and enhance patient outcomes [27].…”

The Effects of Patient-Reported Outcome Screening on the Survival of People with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Various literature reviews have indicated that PRO collection/symptom monitoring in oncology practice can have numerous advantages for patients, including improved communication with healthcare professionals [ 2 , 6 , 10 ], higher satisfaction [ 2 , 11 ] and higher levels of health-related quality of life [ 11 , 12 ], as well as economic benefits due to decreased emergency room visits and hospital readmissions [ 11 , 12 ]. The growing body of evidence supporting the impacts of PRO detection on patient survival is even more interesting.…”

“…The growing body of evidence supporting the impacts of PRO detection on patient survival is even more interesting. In a recent systematic review by Lizan et al [ 12 ], five out of six publications assessing this outcome indicated that patient-reported symptom surveillance led to significantly improved survival compared to usual symptom monitoring. Specifically, the review found that active patient-reported monitoring was associated with increased survival for five months or more compared to usual care.…”