Development and feasibility of a web-based question prompt sheet to support information provision of health-related quality of life topics after oesophageal cancer surgery

Abstract

We developed a web-based question prompt sheet (QPS) to support information provision of health-related quality of life (HRQL) topics after oesophageal cancer surgery. The QPS was evaluated and updated in three consecutive studies. In Study 1, eight patients were guided in using the QPS. Feasibility was assessed by cognitive walkthrough, questionnaire and interview. We obtained 430 notes (217 negative, 213 positive) of patients' actions and or remarks, and 91 suggestions. With minor support, most patients were able to use the QPS. In Study 2, forty patients independently used and appraised a modified version of the QPS by questionnaire. All patients deemed the QPS to be usable and useful. In Study 3, 21 patients and three surgeons used the QPS in clinical practice. Clinical feasibility was assessed by the number of QPS sent to the researcher/surgeon. Patients and surgeons were surveyed and the follow-up consultation was audio-recorded. Surgeons were additionally interviewed. Twenty/ fourteen patients sent their QPS to the researcher/surgeon. Five QPSs were read by the consultation surgeon. Patients considered the QPS usable and useful. Surgeons considered the QPS of added value and helpful in informing patients, but currently not clinically feasible due to increased consultation time. K E Y W O R D S communication, health-related quality of life, information provision, oesophageal cancer, question prompt sheet, surgery

Helping Patients Communicate With Oncologists When Cancer Treatment Resistance Occurs to Develop, Test, and Implement a Patient Communication Aid: Sequential Collaborative Mixed Methods Study

“…Digital health interventions provide patients with evidence-based interventions through software apps. The availability of QPLs through these technologies is increasing [ 55 , 105 , 106 ]. Digital health interventions are easily accessible to patients from their homes through mobile devices or websites.…”

“…Most QPLs that are already available address early cancers [ 39 , 49 ] or palliative care [ 41 , 50 - 52 ], specific clinical situations (eg, early breast cancer [ 53 ], esophageal cancer [ 54 , 55 ], and myelodysplastic syndrome [ 56 ]), care circumstances (eg, clinical trials [ 57 , 58 ]), and populations (eg, older patients with cancer [ 58 ] or cultures or ethnicity [ 53 , 59 ])…”

Question prompt lists to improve communication between cancer patients and healthcare professionals

“…Other QPLs are being developed to respond to the specific clinical issues relating to particular types of tumor [47,48]. In this context, Langbecker et al [49] have developed a QPL specifically adapted to patients with a brain tumor.…”

“…Finally, other authors have focused on particular types of oncology treatment. For instance, Jacobs et al [48] focused on the impact of surgery on quality-of-life for patients with esophageal cancer, and in their QPL they included elements relevant to the postsurgery period, such as physical activity, diet or specific care needs. QPLs have also been developed to accompany patients in their choice to take part in a clinical trial.…”

Beyond Oncology: Question Prompt Lists in Healthcare—A Scoping Review Protocol

“…Research has shown that their use is associated with more question asking by patients, higher levels of information satisfaction, and a reduction of unmet information needs [14,[29][30][31][32][33]. Patients rate QPL as helpful [30,[34][35][36][37][38] and are more satisfied with consultations in which QPL were used [39].…”