Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment
Introduction Remote symptom monitoring (RSM) allows patients to electronically self-report symptoms to their healthcare team for individual management. Clinical trials have demonstrated overarching benefits; however, little is known regarding patient-perceived benefits and limitations of RSM program...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publishing
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Cancer Control |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748241297368 |
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| author | Catherine S. Smith BS Nicole L. Henderson PhD, MPH Emma K. Hendrix BS Tanvi Padalkar BS, MA Chao-Hui Sylvia Huang PhD D’Ambra N. Dent MBA Stacey A. Ingram MEd Chelsea McGowan MPH J. Nicholas Odom PhD, RN Tara Kaufmann MD, MSCE Bryan Weiner PhD Doris Howell RN, PhD Angela M. Stover PhD Ethan Basch MD Jennifer Young Pierce MD, MPH Gabrielle B. Rocque MD, MSPH |
| author_facet | Catherine S. Smith BS Nicole L. Henderson PhD, MPH Emma K. Hendrix BS Tanvi Padalkar BS, MA Chao-Hui Sylvia Huang PhD D’Ambra N. Dent MBA Stacey A. Ingram MEd Chelsea McGowan MPH J. Nicholas Odom PhD, RN Tara Kaufmann MD, MSCE Bryan Weiner PhD Doris Howell RN, PhD Angela M. Stover PhD Ethan Basch MD Jennifer Young Pierce MD, MPH Gabrielle B. Rocque MD, MSPH |
| author_sort | Catherine S. Smith BS |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction Remote symptom monitoring (RSM) allows patients to electronically self-report symptoms to their healthcare team for individual management. Clinical trials have demonstrated overarching benefits; however, little is known regarding patient-perceived benefits and limitations of RSM programs used during patient care. Methods This prospective qualitative study from December 2021 to May 2023 included patients with cancer participating in standard-of-care RSM at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, AL, and the Univeristy of South Alabama (USA) Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) in Mobile, AL. Semi-structured interviews focused on patient experiences with and perceptions surrounding RSM participation. Interviews occurred over the phone, via digital videoconference, or in person, at the convenience of the patient. Grounded theory was used to conduct content coding and identify recurring themes and exemplary quotes using NVivo. Results Forty patients (20 UAB, 20 MCI) were interviewed. Participants were predominately female (87.5%), aged 41-65 (50%), and married (57.5%). Data is consistent with local demographics, comprising mainly White (72.5%) and 27.5% Black individuals. Three main themes emerged regarding perceived benefits of RSM: (1) Facilitation of Proactive Management , identifying the patient’s needs and intervening earlier to alleviate symptom burden; (2) Promotion of Symptom Self-Management , providing patients autonomy in their cancer care; and (3) Improvement in Patient-Healthcare Provider Relationships , fostering genuine connections based on healthcare team’s responses. However, participants also noted Perceived Limitations of RSM ; particularly when support of symptom management was unnecessary, ineffective, or felt impersonal. Conclusion This study focused on patient experiences when utilizing a RSM program while undergoing treatment for cancer and found benefits to its implementation that extended beyond symptom management. At the same time, patients noted drawbacks experienced during RSM, which can help with future tailoring of RSM programs. Patient perceptions should be regularly assessed and highlighted for successful and sustained implementation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-40c99a87f24b47f7b98013e25229f940 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1526-2359 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | SAGE Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cancer Control |
| spelling | doaj-art-40c99a87f24b47f7b98013e25229f9402025-08-20T03:53:42ZengSAGE PublishingCancer Control1526-23592024-11-013110.1177/10732748241297368Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer TreatmentCatherine S. Smith BSNicole L. Henderson PhD, MPHEmma K. Hendrix BSTanvi Padalkar BS, MAChao-Hui Sylvia Huang PhDD’Ambra N. Dent MBAStacey A. Ingram MEdChelsea McGowan MPHJ. Nicholas Odom PhD, RNTara Kaufmann MD, MSCEBryan Weiner PhDDoris Howell RN, PhDAngela M. Stover PhDEthan Basch MDJennifer Young Pierce MD, MPHGabrielle B. Rocque MD, MSPHIntroduction Remote symptom monitoring (RSM) allows patients to electronically self-report symptoms to their healthcare team for individual management. Clinical trials have demonstrated overarching benefits; however, little is known regarding patient-perceived benefits and limitations of RSM programs used during patient care. Methods This prospective qualitative study from December 2021 to May 2023 included patients with cancer participating in standard-of-care RSM at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in Birmingham, AL, and the Univeristy of South Alabama (USA) Health Mitchell Cancer Institute (MCI) in Mobile, AL. Semi-structured interviews focused on patient experiences with and perceptions surrounding RSM participation. Interviews occurred over the phone, via digital videoconference, or in person, at the convenience of the patient. Grounded theory was used to conduct content coding and identify recurring themes and exemplary quotes using NVivo. Results Forty patients (20 UAB, 20 MCI) were interviewed. Participants were predominately female (87.5%), aged 41-65 (50%), and married (57.5%). Data is consistent with local demographics, comprising mainly White (72.5%) and 27.5% Black individuals. Three main themes emerged regarding perceived benefits of RSM: (1) Facilitation of Proactive Management , identifying the patient’s needs and intervening earlier to alleviate symptom burden; (2) Promotion of Symptom Self-Management , providing patients autonomy in their cancer care; and (3) Improvement in Patient-Healthcare Provider Relationships , fostering genuine connections based on healthcare team’s responses. However, participants also noted Perceived Limitations of RSM ; particularly when support of symptom management was unnecessary, ineffective, or felt impersonal. Conclusion This study focused on patient experiences when utilizing a RSM program while undergoing treatment for cancer and found benefits to its implementation that extended beyond symptom management. At the same time, patients noted drawbacks experienced during RSM, which can help with future tailoring of RSM programs. Patient perceptions should be regularly assessed and highlighted for successful and sustained implementation.https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748241297368 |
| spellingShingle | Catherine S. Smith BS Nicole L. Henderson PhD, MPH Emma K. Hendrix BS Tanvi Padalkar BS, MA Chao-Hui Sylvia Huang PhD D’Ambra N. Dent MBA Stacey A. Ingram MEd Chelsea McGowan MPH J. Nicholas Odom PhD, RN Tara Kaufmann MD, MSCE Bryan Weiner PhD Doris Howell RN, PhD Angela M. Stover PhD Ethan Basch MD Jennifer Young Pierce MD, MPH Gabrielle B. Rocque MD, MSPH Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment Cancer Control |
| title | Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment |
| title_full | Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment |
| title_fullStr | Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment |
| title_short | Patient-Perceived Benefits and Limitations of Standard of Care Remote Symptom Monitoring During Cancer Treatment |
| title_sort | patient perceived benefits and limitations of standard of care remote symptom monitoring during cancer treatment |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1177/10732748241297368 |
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