Keys to successful implementation of routine symptom monitoring in head and neck oncology with "Healthcare Monitor" and patients' perspectives of quality of care

Head Neck. 2020 Dec;42(12):3590-3600. doi: 10.1002/hed.26425. Epub 2020 Aug 18.

Abstract

Background: Value-based health care is increasingly used to facilitate a systematic approach during follow-up of patients. We developed Healthcare Monitor (HM): a structure of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (ePROs) for the longitudinal follow-up of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. This study shares key lessons from implementation and seeks to provide insight into how patients experience HM.

Methods: We conducted a mixed-methods study using quantitative data from a nonrandomized retrospective survey of patients who received HM (n = 45) vs standard care (n = 46) and qualitative data from structured interviews (n = 15).

Results: Implementation of HM included significant challenges. Finding common ground among clinicians, administrators, and IT staff was most important. Qualitative findings suggest that patients experienced better doctor-patient communication and increased efficiency of the consultation using HM. Patients felt better prepared and experienced more focus on critical issues. Quantitative analysis did not show significant differences.

Conclusions: Integration of HM into routine care for HNC patients may have increased patient-centered care and facilitated screening of symptoms. However, future research is needed to analyze the potential benefits more extensively.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; patient-reported outcome measures; quality assurance; quality of life; value-based health care.

MeSH terms

  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Medical Oncology
  • Patient Reported Outcome Measures*
  • Retrospective Studies