Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Exploring patient and clinician perceptions of pre-clinic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) in breast oncology outpatient clinics. (#267)

Michelle White 1 2 , Lisa Grech 2 3 , Sok Mian Ng 3 , Alastair Kwok 2 3 , Kate Webber 2 3
  1. Department of Oncology, Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Birtinya, QLD, Australia
  2. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
  3. Department of Oncology, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Aims

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and patient-reported experience measures (PREMs) can enhance supportive care and clinical outcomes. However, their implementation in Australian settings is limited and often excludes people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds. This study explored the perceptions, barriers, and facilitators in patients with breast cancer and clinicians to the planned implementation of real-time collection and use of PROMs and PREMs at oncology outpatient clinics.

Methods

Between December 2022 and March 2023, patients (n=21) and healthcare staff (n=14) from a large Victorian cancer service participated in individual and focus group interviews, conducted in-person or online. Participants were asked about the implementation of pre-clinic administered PROMs and PREMs, available electronically in 11 languages, distributed up to two days before their scheduled oncology consultation with the aim of guiding supportive care provision. Data saturation informed the sample size. A qualitative framework analysis of the transcribed interview data was conducted. Results from the breast oncology outpatient clinics are reported here.

Results

Six patients (100% female, mean age 59 (SD 14) years, 50% metastatic staging, 33% CALD) and seven clinicians participated. There was agreement from both patients and healthcare personnel that pre-clinic administered PROMs and PREMs would improve patient-clinician communication and assist with identifying and addressing patient’s symptoms and concerns. The provision of translated PROMs and PREMs was considered a facilitator for engagement with patients from CALD backgrounds. Patients expressed concern about the length of electronic PROMs and PREMs and the need for technological skills. Clinicians highlighted the potential time and workload impacts of using the PROMs and PREMs.

Conclusions

Key stakeholders at a breast oncology clinic were supportive of the planned implementation of the real-time collection and use of PROMs and PREMs. Identifying and addressing potential barriers will support inclusive implementation and enhanced supportive care of patients with breast cancer.