News
Patient-reported outcomes help improve cancer treatment
2 April 2008
Information technology is improving cancer treatment by enabling
clinically relevant data to be collected by patients at home without
direct intervention by medical staff.
Patient reported outcomes (PROs) are self-assessments that measure
any aspect relating to health status that come directly from the patient
without any interpretation by the healthcare team. With its Patient
Assessment, Care, and Education (PACE) system, Memphis-based Supportive
Oncology Services has helped pioneer the efficient use of PROs in the
community oncology setting, where more than 85% of all cancer patients
are treated.
The system, which has been used by over 100 cancer clinics throughout
the US since 2001, enables patients to complete a comprehensive physical
and psycho-social assessment before each physician visit.
The PACE System uses touchscreen wireless tablet PCs with three
software applications: The Patient Care Monitor (PCM), the Cancer
Support Network (CSN), and Total Access.
The Patient Care Monitor is a patient self-assessment that produces a
comprehensive review of systems (ROS) and report of past family and
social history. The PCM Report provides an at-a-glance snapshot of
patient symptoms and how they are improving or worsening.
The Cancer Support Network (CSN) provides information about cancer —
its diagnosis, treatment, symptom management, and emotional wellness. It
features over 300 videos featuring real patients, physicians and nurses
and over 450 text documents.
Total Access enables cancer clinic staff to perform administrative
functions for the system via the Internet. It gives access to all
patient PCM reports, print specific educational materials and provides a
record of patient education.
Duke University's Comprehensive Cancer Care Center has adopted the
system in research projects across its Oncology Supportive Care
department. Duke researchers presented findings at the 2007 American
Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting, demonstrating how
the system "offers a valid, feasible method for collecting
research-quality, clinically relevant data from patients in outpatient
academic oncology".
According to SOS Chief Medical Officer Dr Kurt Tauer, "Effective
cancer care requires treating more than the tumour; it necessitates
taking care of the whole patient, addressing dozens of physical symptoms
as well as psychological and social needs that accompany a cancer
diagnosis. From dealing with the prospects of a potential death sentence
to handling home healthcare needs, cancer patients and their families
can quickly become overwhelmed with all that faces them. PROs delivered
via the PACE System help physicians alleviate areas of patient
discomfort or distress, thus improving quality of life."
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