Electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PROMs) in palliative cancer care: a scoping review

Abstract

Background In palliative oncology settings, electronic patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessment can play an important role in supporting clinical activities for clinicians and patients. This scoping review aims to map the technological innovation of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (e-PROMs) in cancer palliative care and how PRO data collected through e-PROMs can influence the monitoring and management of symptoms and enable better communication between health professionals and patients. Methods A scoping review study was designed according to the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, SCOPUS, PsycINFO and CINAHL and gray literature sources were consulted. The inclusion criteria were people over 18 years old receiving palliative and/or end-of-life care using e-PROMs. Results Thirteen primary studies were included: nine quantitative studies, two qualitative studies, and two mixed-method studies. The recently developed software that supports e-PROMs allows patients to receive feedback on their symptoms, helps clinicians prioritize care needs and monitors patients’ conditions as their symptoms change. Electronic PRO data prompt difficult, end-of-life communication between clinicians and patients to better organize care in the last phase of life. Conclusion This work shows that electronic PRO data assessment provides valuable tools for patients’ well-being and the management of symptoms; only one study reported conflicting results. However, with studies lacking on how clinicians can use these tools to improve communication with patients, more research is needed.

Dental patient‐reported outcomes following traumatic dental injuries and treatment: A narrative review

“…PC, smartphone or tablet), providing clinicians and researchers with a flexible platform for viewing PROM data 110,111 . Patients suffering from cancer and chronic kidney disease, for instance, have reported that an ePROM platform is a beneficial tool that improves their outcomes 112,113 …”

“…110,111 Patients suffering from cancer and chronic kidney disease, for instance, have reported that an ePROM platform is a beneficial tool that improves their outcomes. 112…”

The “Aberdeen Home Continence Stress Test”: a novel objective assessment tool for female stress urinary incontinence

“…If the same efforts are made to ensure trial follow-up measurements are more convenient for participants, then trials are equally expected to see improved retention. Patient self-assessment studies have produced reliable measurement in other fields of medicine despite initial hesitation and concern [30,31].…”

Exploring patient perspectives on electronic patient-reported outcome measures in home-based cancer palliative care: A qualitative study

“…7 PROMs can help healthcare professionals make informed decisions, foster effective communication with patients/families, monitor symptoms and the effectiveness of treatments and prioritize patient needs. 8 – 11 The most commonly used PROMs in palliative care are the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) 12 and the Integrated Palliative Care Outcome Scale (IPOS). 5 …”

“… 25 , 27 – 30 They gather symptom data such as anxiety, drowsiness, fatigue, nausea, and pain, enabling clinicians to prioritize patients’ needs based also on their questionnaire scores. 9 However, the integration of e-PROMs into oncological palliative care is challenged by a myriad of factors such as cultural and socioeconomic influences, familiarity with technological devices, 24 care settings, deteriorating functional health status 9 , 24 and emotional symptoms that are perceived as burdens and may even overshadow physical manifestations. 11 …”