Purpose/objectives: To examine differences in healthcare service utilization among patients with advanced cancer participating in a nurse-led psychoeducational intervention.
Design: Secondary analysis of trial data.
Setting: Four Michigan cancer centers.
Sample: 484 patients with advanced cancer.
Methods: Patients were randomized to three groups.
Main research variables: Study arm (brief, extensive, or control), ED visitation (one or more times versus none), inpatient hospitalizations (one or more times versus none), and covariates.
Findings: No significant differences in ED visits or inpatient hospitalizations were observed among study arms. ED visits were more frequent for patients with lung or colorectal cancer, more comorbidities, and lower baseline QOL. Baseline QOL was associated with inpatient hospitalizations in the adjusted analysis.
Conclusions: The psychoeducational intervention, either in brief or extensive format, is unlikely to increase healthcare service utilization.
Implications for nursing: Efficacious nurse-led psychoeducational interventions to improve QOL do not place undue burdens on the healthcare system and may improve care.
Keywords: advanced cancer; healthcare service utilization; psychoeducational intervention; psychosocial intervention.