Evaluation of a Modified Proprietary Electronic Patient Reported Outcome Measures Tool for Monitoring Toxicities Associated With Systemic Chemotherapy

Abstract

Aims

To assess the feasibility of a specialized ePROMs tool measuring toxicity encountered by oncology patients during routine outpatient intravenous chemotherapy.

Methods

A proprietary ePROMs tool underwent modification to incorporate a questionnaire focused on nine chemotherapy-associated toxicities within Cabrini Hospital. This tool was piloted in a group of oncology patients receiving intravenous chemotherapy at two outpatient chemotherapy units in a private Australian healthcare center. Patients registered the toxicities and severity through the modified ePROMs tool weekly from the onset of treatment. The collected data were correlated with the specific chemotherapy drugs administered.

Results

Of the 133 enrolled patients, 102 completed the 12-week study. The median age was 61 years (range: 23–81), 94 participants were female (71%), and the most common cancer subtypes were breast (26%), gastrointestinal (25%), and gynecological (19%) cancers. Post-study feedback was gathered from 76 of the 102 participants (75% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 69.2–86.0]) who completed the 12-week program. These participants rated the ePROMs tool as user-friendly (100% [95% CI: 96.4–100.0]) and understandable (99% [95% CI: 96.4–100.0]), with a majority endorsing its usage to other patients receiving chemotherapy (96% [95% CI: 94.7–99.9]) and a preference to continue its usage (87% [95% CI: 79.2–93.0]).

Conclusions

The findings of the study indicate that implementation of an ePROMs tool for real-time reporting of chemotherapy toxicities during routine outpatient care is feasible and promising. Positive patient feedback highlights its prospective role in patient-centered care and improving the understanding and documentation of chemotherapy toxicities.