Attitudes of oncologists towards palliative care and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at an Ontario cancer center in Canada

Abstract

MOs and GPOs appear more positive than ROs toward regular use of ESAS. There is discordance between what is perceived to be a useful beneficial instrument versus actual use of the instrument in daily practice. The reasons for this gap need to be better understood in future studies.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System 25 Years Later: Past, Present, and Future Developments

“…In a survey of 40 physicians from a single center in Ottawa, the respondents found ESAS to be helpful and should be completed at every visit. (77) A subsequent survey of 2806 oncology professionals in Ontario (response rate 38%) also found that a majority of physicians (67%) and nurses (85%) perceived ESAS to be a useful starting point to assess patients’ symptoms. (76) 79% of physicians reported that they reviewed the ESAS scores at visits either “always” or “often”.…”

Cancer Care Professionals' Attitudes Toward Systematic Standardized Symptom Assessment and the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System After Large-Scale Population-Based Implementation in Ontario, Canada

“…Nurses reported a higher frequency of use. 36 In a similar study of physicians conducted at another RCC, 37 30% of medical and 45% of radiation oncologists said that they ''rarely'' or only ''occasionally'' looked at the ESAS. Although recent years have seen an uptake in adoption, 33 the provincial screening rate remains just under 60%, 38 and of those patients screened, only 62% reported that their healthcare team always talks with them about their ESAS scores.…”

The Role of a Symptom Assessment Tool in Shaping Patient-Physician Communication in Palliative Care

“…6 The ESAS has also been shown to reflect clinically significant information, including symptom severity, symptom changes over time, and unmet patient needs. 6,15e17 Studies have shown that cancer care professionals agree that the ESAS is beneficial in assessing patients' symptoms 18,19 and in enhancing care. 18 Regular use of the ESAS has been shown to improve the effectiveness of palliative care services by better focusing patient care discussions.…”

“…6,15e17 Studies have shown that cancer care professionals agree that the ESAS is beneficial in assessing patients' symptoms 18,19 and in enhancing care. 18 Regular use of the ESAS has been shown to improve the effectiveness of palliative care services by better focusing patient care discussions. 20 In addition to its clinical significance, the ESAS has also been used as a trigger for referrals to specialized palliative care services.…”