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Merz A, Feifer D, Avery M, Tsuchiyose E, Eche I, Awofeso O, Wolfe J, Dussel V, Requena ML. Patient-Reported Outcome Benefits for Children with Advanced Cancer and Parents: A Qualitative Study. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e327-e334. [PMID: 37290730 PMCID: PMC10527560 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Electronic patient-reported outcomes (e-PROs) in pediatric oncology may be useful to track patients' symptoms and quality of life (QoL). However, implementation in the clinical setting is limited and few studies have examined child and parent perspectives on e-PRO usage. OBJECTIVES This brief report aims to explore child and parent perspectives on the benefits of using e-PROs to routinely report on symptoms and QoL. METHODS We analyzed qualitative data embedded within the PediQUEST Response trial, a randomized controlled trial aimed at early palliative care integration for children with advanced cancer and their parents. Study dyads, made up of a child and their parent, completed weekly surveys assessing symptoms and QoL for 18 weeks, and were invited to participate in an audio-recorded exit interview to share study feedback. Interview transcripts were analyzed with a thematic analysis approach, with emergent themes centered on the benefits of e-PRO usage reported here. RESULTS Of 154 total randomized participants, we collected 147 exit interviews representing 105 child participants. Interviewed children (n=47) and parents (n=104) were mostly White and non-Hispanic. Two predominant themes emerged regarding e-PRO benefits:1) raised reflection and awareness of self and others' experiences, and 2) increased communication and connection between parents and children or between study dyads and care teams through survey prompted discussion. CONCLUSION Advanced pediatric cancer patients and their parents found benefit in completing routine e-PROs as they promoted greater reflection and awareness and increased communication. These results may inform further integration of e-PROs in routine pediatric oncology care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Merz
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah Feifer
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Madeline Avery
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Erika Tsuchiyose
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Community Health (E.T.), Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Ijeoma Eche
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Opeyemi Awofeso
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School (O.A., J.W.), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joanne Wolfe
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School (O.A., J.W.), Boston, MA, USA
| | - Veronica Dussel
- Pediatric Palliative Care, Department of Pediatrics (M.A., J.W., V.D.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Maria Laura Requena
- Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care (A.M., D.F., E.T., I.E., OA, J.W., M.L.R.), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA; Center for Research and Implementation in Palliative Care (M.L.R.), Institute for Clinical Effectiveness and Health Policy (IECS), Buenos Aires, Argentina
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