Patient Perspectives on Measuring Patient-Reported Outcomes in Oncology

OBJECTIVES: To provide patient perspectives for completing symptom assessment patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures. SAMPLE & SETTING: 192 patients diagnosed with cancer in follow-up at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. METHODS & VARIABLES: Participants responded to a questionnaire, developed by the authors and derived from the literature and experts in PRO measure development, about use of PRO measures for symptom assessment. RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 57.5 years (SD = 13), with 49% self-reporting as female and 75% as White. In addition, 77% had solid tumors, 77% were in active treatment, and 22% were in survivorship. Participants preferred to complete symptom assessments in the clinic waiting room when checking in (38%), electronically on a home computer (28%), or electronically on a smartphone at home (26%). In the clinic, the preferred completion method was using a paper and pen (28%), followed by electronically on a tablet or computer (17%). Participants preferred to complete only one measure at each follow-up visit (79%) and only one measure for each week while receiving treatment (81%). If reporting a highly serious symptom, participants preferred an immediate telephone call from a provider (52%). IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Patient preferences for location, administration method, cadence, and provider response should be accounted for when planning systematic PRO symptom monitoring.