The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) in an Australian outpatient oncology setting.

Authors

null

Kate Webber

Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Kate Webber, Olivia Cook, Michelle White, Alastair Kwok, Eva Segelov

Organizations

Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia, Monash University/ Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Research Funding

Other
Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium

Background: PROMs and PREMs may be useful tools to reflect the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients’ wellbeing and care. This analysis compares baseline self-reported quality of life (QoL), symptoms and supportive care needs between two independent patient groups based on when and how they attended their oncology appointment: 1) in person, prior to the global declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and; 2) via telehealth, during the pandemic. Methods: Patients were invited to complete a suite of PROMs and PREMs including the EQ-5D-5L, modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System-Revised (ESAS-R) and the modified Supportive Care Needs Survey Short-Form (SCNS-SF34) on an iPad in the waiting room before each appointment (pre-COVID-19 pandemic phase, December 2019 to March 2020) or online prior to a telehealth appointment (COVID-19 pandemic phase, October 2020 to April 2021). Descriptive statistics were reported for clinical and demographic factors and the PROMs and PREMs. Baseline scores from pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 cohorts were compared using t-tests and chi-square tests. Results: In the pre-COVID-19 phase, 100 patients (99 females, 60.7 years old) participated compared with 129 patients (128 females, 59.7 years old) in the COVID-19 phase. Primary cancer diagnoses were breast (pre-COVID-19 68%, COVID-19 71%), gynaecological (pre-COVID-19 31%, COVID-19 37%) and lung (pre-COVID-19 1%) cancers. Mean age, gender, relationship status, language spoken, cancer diagnoses, and staging were similar, all p > 0.05. Median self-rated health (EQ-VAS score) was also similar between the pre-COVID-19 phase (74, IQR 33) and the COVID-19 phase (75, IQR 34), p = 0.51. Median ESAS-R swelling/lymphoedema score was higher for the COVID-19 phase (1, IQR 3) than the pre-COVID-19 phase (0, IQR 3), p = 0.03. Median SCNS standardised psychological domain score was lower for the COVID-19 phase (35, IQR 40) compared with the pre-COVID-19 phase (45, IQR 42), p = 0.03. No other significant differences in symptoms or unmet needs were noted (all p > 0.05). The top three symptoms concerns (ESAS-R score ≥7) were: 1) tiredness (pre-COVID-19 33%, COVID-19 22.7%); 2) sleep problems (pre-COVID-19 24.5%, COVID-19 21.9%); 3) drowsiness (pre-COVID-19 21.2%) and concentration and memory (COVID-19 19.5%). Conclusions: Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, these data reflect the symptoms and concerns impacting on the QoL among Australian oncology patients have remained largely stable. Although Australian COVID-19 case numbers have remained low, PROMs and PREMs are crucial tools for continuing to support oncology patients with QoL and supportive needs in the pandemic era. Clinical trial information: ACTRN12619001470189.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2021 ASCO Quality Care Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session A: Cost, Value, and Policy; Health Equity and Disparities; Patient Experience

Track

Cost, Value, and Policy,Technology and Innovation in Quality of Care,Health Care Access, Equity, and Disparities,Patient Experience,Quality, Safety, and Implementation Science

Sub Track

Symptom Prevention, Assessment, and Management

Clinical Trial Registration Number

ACTRN12619001470189

Citation

J Clin Oncol 39, 2021 (suppl 28; abstr 195)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2020.39.28_suppl.195

Abstract #

195

Poster Bd #

Online Only

Abstract Disclosures

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