Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY
Jeanne Carter, Nadeem Abu-Rustum, Sally Saban, Ling Y. Chen, Andrew Vickers, Gabriela Billanti, Nicole A Connors, Vance Broach, Carol L. Brown, Dennis Chi, Ginger J. Gardner, Deborah J. Goldfrank, Elizabeth Lin Jewell, Mario M. Leitao, Kara C. Long-Roche, Jennifer Jean Mueller, Yukio Sonoda, Oliver Zivanovic
Background: To assess the implementation and use of an electronic survivorship tool to enhance patient/clinician communication and intervention of survivorship concerns in women treated for gynecologic cancer. Methods: The clinical survivorship tool was developed using evidence-based data, multidisciplinary expert input, and patient feedback. The tool is composed of 17 questions encompassing 6 main categories: gynecologic health (abnormal bleeding/pain), lymphedema, vaginal/vulvar dryness, sexual health concerns, menopause (hot flushes, sleep difficulties), and bowel/urinary issues. The electronic tool was piloted and incorporated into clinic for endometrial and cervical cancer patients. Patients were introduced to the tool at their first postop visit and emailed an introduction form before their 3-month follow-up visit. The form could be completed at home or at the time of scheduled visit. Results: From 6/1/18 to 6/1/19, 1269 patients were eligible to complete at least one survivorship tool survey. Compliance rates increased over the year and reached 67% (1,015/1,525 assigned surveys completed) with the addition of clinic coordinator, staff and nurse training; the initiation of daily emails screening for survey respondents; clinic coordinator feedback and modification of screening emails; and the addition of nurses to daily screening emails. Of those who completed surveys between 01/1/19 and 06/1/19, the most common survivorship concerns noted were bowel (48%, n=484) and urinary function (35%,n=352) issues, menopausal symptoms such as trouble sleeping (33%, n=333) and hot flashes (25%, n=249), lower extremity symptoms (heaviness 17%, n=175; swelling 17%, n=171; numbness 17%, n=171), and vaginal dryness (26%, n=263), with actionable items of education and referrals, as needed. Conclusions: This survivorship tool enhanced the ability of healthcare providers to identify, monitor, and address survivorship concerns over the continuum of care. Patients and healthcare providers found this tool to be clinically feasible with potential to promote communication and education to enhance clinical care. Our multidisciplinary approach and training were key to implementation success.
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Abstract Disclosures
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