Feasibility of ePRO Among Cancer Patients
This article has been written based on the information available at “Evaluation of electronic patient-reported outcome assessment with cancer patients in the hospital and at home”
In recent years, electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) assessment has gained significant attention in the field of healthcare.
This method allows patients to provide valuable insights into their quality of life and symptom burdens, which may not be fully captured by physician ratings alone.
ePRO assessments can be conducted in both the hospital setting (clinic-ePRO) and at home (home-ePRO), offering several advantages such as convenience, efficiency, and improved communication between patients and healthcare professionals.
This article discusses the feasibility and acceptance of clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO among cancer patients, based on the research performed by L. M. Wintner and colleagues.
We will explore patients’ attitudes towards electronic QOL assessments, their personal internet use, and the user-friendliness of the Computer-based Health Evaluation System (CHES) software used for ePRO assessments.
By understanding patients’ experiences and preferences, we can optimize the implementation of ePRO assessments in oncology practice.
Patient Habits Regarding Personal Internet Use
In the study conducted by L. M. Wintner, to assess patients’ personal internet use, a comprehensive evaluation form was completed by cancer patients participating in clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO assessments.
The majority of patients reported using the internet at home, with laptops, personal computers, and smartphones being the most commonly used devices.
Patients engaged in various online activities, such as reading and writing emails, searching for information, online banking or shopping, and social media.
Attitudes Towards Clinic-ePRO and Home-ePRO
The evaluation form also captured patients’ attitudes towards clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO assessments.
The majority of patients viewed ePRO as a useful and adequate method to provide information on their quality of life to their physicians.
They expressed interest in seeing their own results and discussing them with their attending physicians.
Most patients were willing to participate in routine clinic-ePRO assessments, with some also showing a preference for home-ePRO assessments.
Feasibility of Clinic-ePRO and Home-ePRO
Overall, clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO were shown to be feasible and well-accepted by patients.
The majority of patients did not experience difficulties in completing the questionnaires or handling the electronic devices used for assessment.
Patients expressed satisfaction with the graphic display of the questionnaire on tablet screens and the level of privacy during PRO completion.
Some advantages of ePRO assessments included the availability of questionnaires at any time and the feeling of being well-cared for at home.
However, a small percentage of patients perceived ePRO assessments as too impersonal or not tailored to their individual situations.
Implications for Implementation
While the findings of this study are promising, some barriers to the implementation of ePRO assessments were identified.
Patients who are older, computer-illiterate, or socioeconomically disadvantaged may face challenges in participating in ePRO assessments.
Efforts should be made to improve internet access and provide opportunities for patients to familiarize themselves with new technologies.
Additionally, healthcare professionals should be educated about the benefits of ePRO assessments and how to integrate the data into patient consultations effectively.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ePRO assessments have the potential to enhance patient care by providing valuable insights into patients’ quality of life and symptom burdens.
Clinic-ePRO and home-ePRO were found to be feasible and well-accepted by cancer patients.
However, further research is needed to address the concerns of patients who are less familiar with new technologies and to optimize the integration of ePRO data into clinical practice.
By overcoming implementation barriers and promoting the benefits of ePRO assessments, healthcare professionals can improve patient outcomes and enhance the patient-provider relationship.
This article has been written based on the information available at “Evaluation of electronic patient-reported outcome assessment with cancer patients in the hospital and at home”
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