Patient-Reported Outcomes as a Tool for Involvement in Metastatic Melanoma Care.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Patients with metastatic melanoma live longer than a decade ago and have limited contact with the healthcare system. This requires a focus on their ability to manage their health. Patient involvement can contribute to this. The use of Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) may facilitate patient involvement in clinical encounters, especially in the form of enhanced communication between patient and clinician. The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between active use of PRO and patient involvement for patients with metastatic melanoma. Patient/material and methods: This study was based on data from a non-randomized controlled study, in which Danish patients with metastatic melanoma were assigned to either an intervention (PRO actively used as a dialog tool in consultations throughout a year) or control group (standard treatment), based on geographic affiliation. The outcome in the present study was patient involvement, measured with five indicators of patient involvement. Linear regression models were used to estimate the crude and adjusted association between intervention and patient involvement at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results: A total of 237 patients were included, 114 patients in the intervention group and 123 patients in the control group. Adjusted mean difference between intervention and control group was 1.54 (0.24; 2.83) at 6 months and 1.32 (0.06; 2.59) at 12 months (p < 0.05). Improvement was observed in just one indicator of patient involvement, specifically 'dialog between patient and physician'.

Interpretation: Using PRO actively as a dialog tool in consultations can contribute to improved patient involvement for patients with metastatic melanoma.