Comparing hospital and telephone follow-up for patients treated for stage-I endometrial cancer (ENDCAT trial): a randomised, multicentre, non-inferiority trial

BJOG. 2017 Jan;124(1):150-160. doi: 10.1111/1471-0528.14000. Epub 2016 Apr 7.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of nurse-led telephone follow-up (TFU) for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer.

Design: Multicentre, randomised, non-inferiority trial.

Setting: Five centres in the North West of England.

Sample: A cohort of 259 women treated for stage-I endometrial cancer attending hospital outpatient clinics for routine follow-up.

Methods: Participants were randomly allocated to receive traditional hospital based follow-up (HFU) or nurse-led TFU.

Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were psychological morbidity (State Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI-S) and patient satisfaction with the information provided. Secondary outcomes included patient satisfaction with service, quality of life, and time to detection of recurrence.

Results: The STAI-S scores post-randomisation were similar between groups [mean (SD): TFU 33.0 (11.0); HFU 35.5 (13.0)]. The estimated between-group difference in STAI-S was 0.7 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -1.9 to 3.3); the confidence interval lies above the non-inferiority limit (-3.5), indicating the non-inferiority of TFU. There was no significant difference between groups in reported satisfaction with information (odds ratio, OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.4-2.1; P = 0.83). Women in the HFU group were more likely to report being kept waiting for their appointment (P = 0.001), that they did not need any information (P = 0.003), and were less likely to report that the nurse knew about their particular case and situation (P = 0.005).

Conclusions: The TFU provides an effective alternative to HFU for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer, with no reported physical or psychological detriment. Patient satisfaction with information was high, with similar levels between groups.

Tweetable abstract: ENDCAT trial shows effectiveness of nurse-led telephone follow-up for patients with stage-I endometrial cancer.

Keywords: Endometrial cancer; gynaecology; morbidity; oncology; patient satisfaction; psychological; telephone follow-up.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Endometrial Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / nursing*
  • England / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Nurse's Role*
  • Outpatient Clinics, Hospital*
  • Outpatients* / statistics & numerical data
  • Patient Satisfaction*
  • Quality of Life*
  • Telephone* / statistics & numerical data
  • Workforce