Reporting of tobacco use and tobacco-related analyses in cancer cooperative group clinical trials: a systematic scoping review

BACKGROUND

Continued smoking after a diagnosis of cancer negatively impacts cancer outcomes, but the impact of tobacco on newer treatments options is not well established. Collecting and evaluating tobacco use in clinical trials may advance understanding of the consequences of tobacco use on treatment modalities, but little is known about the frequency of reporting and analysis of tobacco use in cancer cooperative clinical trial groups.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify cancer cooperative group clinical trials published from January 2017-October 2019. Eligible studies evaluated either systemic and/or radiation therapies, included ≥100 adult patients, and reported on at least one of: overall survival, disease/progression-free survival, response rates, toxicities/adverse events, or quality-of-life.

RESULTS

A total of 91 studies representing 90 trials met inclusion criteria with trial start dates ranging from 1995 to 2015 with 14% involving lung and 5% head and neck cancer patients. A total of 19 studies reported baseline tobacco use; 2 reported collecting follow-up tobacco use. Seven studies reported analysis of the impact of baseline tobacco use on clinical outcomes. There was significant heterogeneity in the reporting of baseline tobacco use: 7 reported never/ever status, 10 reported never/ex-smoker/current smoker status, and 4 reported measuring smoking intensity. None reported verifying smoking status or second-hand smoke exposure. Trials of lung and head and neck cancers were more likely to report baseline tobacco use than other disease sites (83% versus 6%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Few cancer cooperative group clinical trials report and analyze trial participants' tobacco use. Significant heterogeneity exists in reporting tobacco use. Routine standardized collection and reporting of tobacco use at baseline and follow-up in clinical trials should be implemented to enable investigators to evaluate the impact of tobacco use on new cancer therapies.

Humanism in global oncology curricula: an emerging priority

Introduction

Training in humanism provides skills important for improving the quality of care received by patients, achieving shared decision-making with patients, and navigating systems-level challenges. However, because of the dominance of the biomedical model, there is potentially a lack of attention to humanistic competencies in global oncology curricula. In the present study, we aimed to explore the incorporation of humanistic competencies into global oncology curricula.

Methods

This analysis considered 17 global oncology curricula. A curricular item was coded as either humanistic (as defined by the iecares framework) or non-humanistic. If identified as humanistic, the item was coded using an aspect of humanism, such as Altruism, from the iecares framework. All items, humanistic and not, were coded under the canmeds framework using 1 of the 7 canmeds competency domains: Medical Expert, Communicator, Collaborator, Leader, Scholar, Professional, or Health Advocate.

Results

Of 7792 identified curricular items in 17 curricula, 780 (10%) aligned with the iecares humanism framework. The proportion of humanistic items in individual curricula ranged from 2% to 26%, and the proportion increased from 3% in the oldest curricula to 11% in the most recent curricula. Of the humanistic items, 35% were coded under Respect, 31% under Compassion, 24% under Empathy, 5% under Integrity, 2% under Excellence, 1% under Altruism, and 1% under Service. Within the canmeds domains, the humanistic items aligned mostly with Professional (35%), Medical Expert (31%), or Communicator (25%).

Conclusions

The proportion of humanistic competencies has been increasing in global oncology curricula over time, but the overall proportion remains low and represents a largely Western perspective on what constitutes humanism in health care. The representation of humanism focuses primarily on the iecares attributes of Respect, Compassion, and Empathy.

Implementation of a comprehensive smoking cessation program in cancer care

Background

Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis maximizes treatment-related effects, improves prognosis, and enhances quality of life. However, smoking cessation (sc) services are not routinely integrated into cancer care. The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre implemented a digitally-based sc program in oncology, leveraging an e-referral system (cease) to screen all new ambulatory patients, provide tailored education and advice on quitting, and facilitate referrals.

Methods

We adopted the Framework for Managing eHealth Change to guide implementation of the sc program by integrating 6 key elements: governance and leadership, stakeholder engagement, communication, workflow analysis and integration, monitoring and evaluation, and training and education.

Results

Incorporating elements of the Framework, we used extensive stakeholder engagement and strategic partnerships to establish a sc program with organizational and provincial accountability. Existing electronic patient-reported assessments were changed to integrate cease. Clinic audits and staff engagement allowed for analysis of workflow, ongoing monitoring and evaluation that aided in establishing a communication strategy, and development of cancer-specific education for patients and health care providers. From April 2016 to March 2018, 22,137 new patients were eligible for screening. Among those new patients, 13,617 (62%) were screened, with 1382 (10%) being current smokers and 532 (4%) having recently quit (within 6 months). Of the current smokers and those who had recently quit, all were advised to quit or to stay smoke-free, and 380 (20%) accepted referral to a sc counselling service.

Conclusions

Here, we provide a comprehensive practice blueprint for the implementation of digitally based sc programs as a standard of care within comprehensive cancer centres with high patient volumes.

Impact of high-fidelity e-learning on knowledge acquisition and satisfaction in radiation oncology trainees

Background

e-Learning is an underutilized tool in education for the health professions, and radiation medicine, given its reliance on technology for clinical practice, is well-suited to training simulation in online environments. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge impact and user interface satisfaction of high-(hf) compared with low-fidelity (lf) e-learning modules (e-modules) in radiation oncology training.

Methods

Two versions of an e-module on lung radiotherapy (lf and hf) were developed. Radiation oncology residents and fellows were invited to be randomized to complete either the lf or the hf module through individual online accounts over a 2-week period. A 25-item multiple-choice knowledge assessment was administered before and after module completion, and user interface satisfaction was measured using the Questionnaire for User Interaction Satisfaction (quis) tool.

Results

Of 18 trainees, 8 were randomized to the lf module, and 10, to the hf module. Overall, knowledge assessment performance increased (11%, p < 0.05), with hf-group participants reporting a 13% improvement (p = 0.02), and senior participants reporting an almost 15% improvement (p < 0.01). Scores on the quis indicated that participants were satisfied with various aspects of the user interface.

Conclusions

The hf e-module had a greater impact on knowledge acquisition, and users expressed satisfaction with the interface in both the hf and lf situations. The use of e-learning in a competency-based curriculum could have educational advantages; participants expressed benefits and drawbacks. Preferences for e-learning integration in education for the health professions should be explored further.

Closing the Gap on the Availability of Cancer Staging Information for Healthcare Providers in the Global Cancer Community: Development of a Multilingual Cancer Staging Video Series

Background and context: Tumor, Node, Metastases (TNM) classification system provide valuable measures to researchers in facilitating the understanding of disparities in outcomes and allowing for the comparison of these outcomes over time. There is a lack of multimodal formats for disseminating comprehensive information and education about cancer stage to the global cancer community. To address this gap, the Departments of Radiation Oncology and Cancer Education at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM) (Toronto, Canada) in collaboration with The Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) envisioned the development of a cancer staging video series. Aim: To provide current and accurate information on cancer staging to healthcare professionals and stakeholders for global cancer control. Strategy/Tactics: The Cancer Education program worked with experts in the field of cancer staging to develop 8 videos (average length 4 min) to provide information to the global cancer community about existing information on key issues with cancer staging and how to properly stage patients using the TNM classification. Videos include references to current research and examples of staging across various cancers to illustrate and reinforce the importance of cancer staging. Script development involved defining key messages, refining learning objectives and breaking up information to ensure the content is digestible and easy to understand. Prior to video production, draft scripts were reviewed by international collaborators for completeness of information and accuracy of content. Videos contain appropriate text on screen to reinforce key messages and include a narrated voiceover to orient the learner. To expand the global reach, trained faculties translated the English videos and scripts, into the 5 official United Nations languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. Program/Policy process: Videos in the cancer staging series include: The Importance of Cancer Staging; What is Cancer Stage; General Rules for Cancer Staging; Cancer Staging Examples; Staging Terminology; Importance of a Common Stage Language; Why Stage Language Changes; Essential TNM. Videos will be made available on UICC and PM Web sites (free of charge and globally advertised). Outcomes: The video series will increase education and awareness on the importance of a unified approach to cancer staging among the larger community and have the aim to empower the community on how to access cancer and define prognosis, treatment and or trial eligibility. What was learned: The development and promotion of the cancer staging video series was a meaningful, collaborative and challenging activity. It was learned that educational videos need to be well-designed and simple to provide axiomatic information on cancer stating to the global cancer control community.

Implementation of a Comprehensive Hospital-Based Smoking-Cessation Program in Cancer

Background and context: Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis minimizes treatment-related effects, improves prognosis and enhances quality of life. However, smoking cessation has yet to be integrated as a standard component of cancer care and cessation programs are underused. Aim: To address this gap between evidence and practice, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto, Canada sought to implement a comprehensive, evidence-based program that would introduce smoking cessation–related screening, referrals and education as standard practice in cancer care. Strategy/Tactics: We adapted the Framework for Managing eHealth Change to guide successful implementation of a Smoking Cessation Program (SCP) utilizing 6 components: 1) Leadership and governance 2) Stakeholder engagement and partnerships 3) Communication 4) Patient and provider education 5) Analysis and clinical integration 6) Monitoring and evaluation of program performance metrics. Program/Policy process: The SCP designed, tested and implemented a multilingual e-referral system (CEASE) to screen patients for smoking status, provide education and advice on quitting, and generate an electronic referral to cessation programs. Partnerships were established with 3 smoking-cessation programs to offer patients a breadth of services tailored to individual needs, preferences and medical history. Patient and provider education was developed to address the unique knowledge gaps, beliefs and stigma associated with smoking and a cancer diagnosis. Outcomes: Program metrics indicate that of 11,366 new patients eligible for screening between April 2017 to March 2018, 62% (n = 6629) were screened with 10% (n = 655) identifying as current smokers and 4% (n = 261) as recent quitters (6 months or less). Of smokers and recent quitters, 21% (n = 170) accepted a referral to a smoking-cessation program. What was learned: The implementation of the SCP presents a comprehensive blueprint to establish a smoking-cessation program as a standard of quality care. Elements of the SCP can be adapted to local, regional and national contexts. Future directions include assessing strategies to increase screening and referral rates, collection of long-term outcomes, and integration into the patient portal.

The prevalence and nature of supportive care needs in lung cancer patients

PURPOSE

In the present work, we set out to comprehensively describe the unmet supportive care and information needs of lung cancer patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34 (34 items) and an informational needs survey (8 items). Patients with primary lung cancer in any phase of survivorship were included. Demographic data and treatment details were collected from the medical charts of participants. The unmet needs were determined overall and by domain. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with greater unmet needs.

RESULTS

From August 2013 to February 2014, 89 patients [44 (49%) men; median age: 71 years (range: 44-89 years)] were recruited. The mean number of unmet needs was 8 (range: 0-34), and 69 patients (78%) reported at least 1 unmet need. The need proportions by domain were 52% health system and information, 66% psychological, 58% physical, 24% patient care, and 20% sexuality. The top 2 unmet needs were "fears of the cancer spreading" [n = 44 of 84 (52%)] and "lack of energy/tiredness" [n = 42 of 88 (48%)]. On multivariable analysis, more advanced disease and higher MD Anderson Symptom Inventory scores were associated with increased unmet needs. Patients reported that the most desired information needs were those for information on managing symptoms such as fatigue (78%), shortness of breath (77%), and cough (63%).

CONCLUSIONS

Unmet supportive care needs are common in lung cancer patients, with some patients experiencing a very high number of unmet needs. Further work is needed to develop resources to address those needs.