Geriatric Oncology in the Instagram Era: Feasibility and Acceptability Randomised Controlled Trial on Adopting PhotoVoice to Enable Empowerment, Patient-Centred Care, and Shared Decision Making—Study Protocol

Abstract

Geriatric assessment (GA) is fundamental to optimising cancer care in older adults, yet implementing comprehensive GA tools in real-world clinical settings remains a challenge. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of integrating information from patient-derived photographs (PhotoVoice) into enhanced supportive care (ESC) for older adults with cancer. A feasibility randomised controlled trial will be conducted at a regional cancer care centre in Australia. Participants aged 70 and above will be randomised into two groups: PhotoVoice plus ESC or usual care (ESC) alone. In the PhotoVoice group, participants will provide four photographs for deduction of representations of different aspects of their lives using photo-elicitation techniques. ESC will be conducted for both groups, incorporating PhotoVoice analysis in the intervention group. PhotoVoice may improve patient-centred care outcomes, including enhanced communication, shared decision making, and identification of patient priorities and barriers. Findings will provide insights into implementing PhotoVoice in geriatric assessment and guide future trials in cancer among older adults.

Age-friendly healthcare: integrating the 4Ms to enable age-friendly cancer care

“…This one-page tool was codesigned by consumers and records WMTY information like ‘Things that are important to me are…’ and ‘Quality of life is more/less important than length of life for me’ (Supplementary Appendix 1, http://links.lww.com/COSPC/A37). We have recently investigated the addition of patient-derived photographs to a routine multidimensional GA [electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment (eRFA)] [48,49]. This approach enables older adults to further express aspects of their identity and what matters to them [49].…”

“…We have recently investigated the addition of patient-derived photographs to a routine multidimensional GA [electronic Rapid Fitness Assessment (eRFA)] [48,49]. This approach enables older adults to further express aspects of their identity and what matters to them [49]. Fig.…”