Understanding the Use of Patient-Reported Outcomes Systems for Cancer Care

We explored the challenges and opportunities healthcare professionals face when integrating electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) into cancer care. Using a systematic mapping study, we identified key themes, including clinical workflow, organizational support, usability, and data visualization. Our findings emphasize the importance of seamless integration into electronic health records (EHRs), user-friendly features, and effective communication between patients and clinicians.

What was the context of our study?

Cancer is a major health challenge worldwide, and tools like ePRO systems can help improve care by letting patients report their symptoms digitally. These tools have the potential to make symptom tracking easier and improve communication between patients and doctors. However, healthcare professionals face challenges in using these systems effectively.

What did we do?

We reviewed the literature and found 17 studies about ePRO use in cancer care, focusing on what healthcare professionals think helps or makes it harder to use these systems. We looked at barriers like technology issues and time demands, and facilitators like improved workflow and better communication.

What did we find?

We found that ePRO systems work best when:

  • They are easy to use and integrate into hospital systems.
  • They allow patients to report symptoms from home at convenient times.
  • They help doctors quickly understand patient needs with clear data visuals.

But, challenges like limited technical support and time-consuming processes can make it harder for healthcare professionals to adopt these systems.

Why is this important?

By addressing these issues, we can make ePRO systems more effective, improving patient care and making life easier for healthcare professionals.

Reference

Laitio AM, Giunti G, Halonen R. Perceived Barriers and Facilitators in Using Patient-Reported Outcome Systems for Cancer Care: Systematic Mapping Study. JMIR Cancer. 2023 Jun 28;9:e40875. https://doi.org/10.2196/40875. PMID: 37379076; PMCID: PMC10365581.

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